30-May-08: Canada Kerbs to be Revamped
Welcome to F1 Minute for today, the 30th May.
After Robert Kubica’s nasty crash at Canada last year, it was no surprise to hear that parts of the circuit would get a bit of a revamp to try and avoid something like that happening again. However, it now appears that it’s not just the pit lane and the track surface getting an overhaul, some of the famously high and notorious;y difficult kerbs are also being looked at. The idea is to make them smoother and less harsh so that a car won’t be lifted up into the air again.
Renault’s CEO has been talking about the team’s future in the sport, after there have been rumours that they are losing interesting in the expensive pastime. Carlos Ghosn has been quoted as saying that Renault would never quit while they were on a losing streak, and he thinks they’ll be around for many years to come. Whether that means he thinks they won’t be winning until that far in the future remains to be seen.
Finally, Pedro de la Rosa has given us some insights: that Hamilton was very lucky with his win in Monaco, that McLaren need to keep on improving and that he misses Alonso. Aww.
That’s all for this week, please join me on Monday for another F1 Minute.
29-May-08: Mosley Refuses to Comprimise Ahead of EGM
This is F1 Minute and it’s the 29th May 2008.
Today appears to be all about Max Mosley as some big member clubs of the FIA have once again called for him to step down ahead of the extraordinary general meeting next week. Mosley has issued an emphatic no, however. Apparently he has also declined a deal that would have seen him get a vote of confidence at the EGM, but only if he agreed to step down in November, rather than see out his tenancy until 2009. Again, the emphatic no.
Elsewhere today, a Ferrari spokesman has cleared up the rumours of Fernando Alonso signing a contract with them for 2010. It has been reported that the rumours are “absolute nonsense.”
Robert Kubica has effectively ruled himself out of the drivers championship, saying it is between Raikkonen, Hamilton and Massa, although he will take any opportunity he’s given. He also mentioned not having any worries about returning to Canada, the scene of his massive accident last year.
That’s all for today, but I will be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
28-May-08: Renault Face Dilemma Over Car Precedence
Today is Wednesday, the 28th May and you’re listening to F1 Minute.
Pat Symonds from Renault has given us a few insights into the problems the team are facing at the moment in this week’s official team podcast. Of the improvements needed to the car, Symonds admitted that they are struggling to decide whether to focus on updating this year’s car, or concentrate on getting a good start for next year. He says the team are small enough that they don’t have the resources to do both. Having said that, there are reports that a significantly updated car will be introduced at the British Grand Prix.
The Honda factory in Brackley has been awarded the ISO14001 certificate, which is an international standard for environmental management. This means that the team have implemented a management system that meets the international standard, and basically makes them a very green team.
Finally today, there are rumours that F1 teams will be testing at Hockenheim in July ahead of the German GP.
That’s all for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
27-May-08: Coulthard to Visit NASCAR Team
It’s the 27th May and this is F1 Minute.
David Coulthard is to visit the Red Bull NASCAR team to make a short promo film, including sitting in the car, attending a race, and hanging out with the team. Red Bull have released a press release saying: “Please note that David is visiting this event solely to shoot a film for Red Bull and we would appreciate it if you did not start a load of silly rumours about him switching from F1 to NASCAR in 2009.”
Ex-Super Aguri driver Takuma Sato has said he is looking to get back in F1 but has no plans at the moment. He played down rumours that he’s being lined up to replace Piquet at Renault, and said that he spoke to Honda about any opportunities they have, whether in F1 or outside of it. He said he’s in no rush, and will wait for the right situation to arise, even if that is a year or two of testing.
Finally today, in the most unsurprising news ever, Autosport are reporting that Max Mosley told a court he was “humiliated” by the News of the World revelations. No kidding.
That’s all for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
26-May-08: Hamilton Savours Highlight Victory
Welcome to F1 Minute, it’s the 26th May 2008.
A quick catchup with some of the aftermath of the crazy Monaco race this weekend.
McLaren have said that Lewis Hamilton’s victory was vital to their title championship campaign and couldn’t have come at a better time for the team – both numerically and emotionally. Hamilton, meanwhile, has hailed the victory as the highlight of his career, and believes it will be that way for the rest of his life.
Robert Kubica has issued concerns that he believes McLaren and Ferrari might be pulling away from BMW in the championship, but team boss Mario Theissen says their consistency so far means they are still contenders for the title. He says a small tweak here or there will make all the difference.
And finally, Sebastian Vettel celebrated his career best fourth place result by jumping into the Monaco harbour. He leapt from the Red Bull energy station into the cold water, and made quite a splash with nearby photographers. Sorry about that.
That’s all for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
25-May-08: Hamilton Takes Win at Action Packed Monaco
This is F1 Minute for the 25th May 2008.
It is completely impossible to try and fit the Monaco race into 60 seconds so here are the highlights in bullet form:
- Lewis Hamilton won the race despite an early brush with the barriers that may have in fact saved his entire strategy.
- Alonso was overtaking all over the place and causing problems wherever he went – he almost caused a pileup at the hairpin.
- Piquet crashed out, having been put on dry tyres a little too early.
- Rosberg suffered a forcible shunt in the last fifteen minutes of the race. He leapt out of the car okay, despite hitting two walls, but has been taken to hospital as a precaution.
- The race ran for so long, that the two hour limit was imposed rather than all the laps being finished, meaning we only saw 76 of the 78 proposed laps.
- Sutil was running in fourth place at one point, having made some good tyre decisions, but he was knocked out in the last ten minutes by an unruly Raikkonen coming out of the tunnel.
That’s all I can fit in, visit Sidepodcast.com for more info, and join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
24-May-08: Massa Takes Pole in Monaco
It’s the 24th May 2008, and this is F1 Minute.
Felipe Massa scored a surprise pole position in Monaco today, despite saying earlier in the week that he doesn’t like or feel comfortable at the track. He beat out his team mate Raikkonen in second, and both McLarens with Hamilton third and Kovalainen fourth.
Other surprises today came in the form of an errant tyre bouncing down the track which turned out to belong to David Coulthard. He emerged from the tunnel at almost 300 km/h, braked too hard and the car dipped right into the barrier. He slid off track and down the run off area at rather a scary speed. He was unharmed, however, saying he feels fit for the race, if perhaps a bit sore.
Piquet did nothing to impress his bosses who are so eager to keep their eye on him this weekend, finishing in 17th, whilst Alonso managed to end up in 7th. Also struggling, Heidfeld, who finished out of the top ten, whilst Kubica settled in fifth place.
That’s all for today, join me tomorrow for all the gossip from the race itself in another F1 Minute.
23-May-08: Alonso Escapes Monaco Steward Penalty
This is F1 Minute and today is Friday, 23rd May.
Alonso has escaped a penalty after being called to the Monaco stewards today. He answered questions regarding the incident yesterday, where he smashed into the barrier and drove away with his rear wing hanging off the car. It eventually fell off on his journey back to the pits. Alonso explains that he told the stewards there was nowhere to stop, so he drove as safely back to the pits as he could.
Bernie Ecclestone has written a letter to the FIA in response to Max Mosley’s earlier missive. Max was claiming that if he was ousted from the presidency, Bernie would take over, but Mr Ecclestone simply reminded the FIA that he is quite content and adhering to EU regulations by looking after only the commercial side of things. The FIA welcomed the letter.
Finally today, Piquet has admitted that he was not surprised that he has been told to improve by his team, saying it is normal for drivers to be pushed.
That’s all for today, join me tomorrow for a quick roundup of the qualifying action in another F1 Minute.
22-May-08: Raikkonen and Hamilton Top Free Practice Times
Welcome to F1 Minute, today is the 22nd May.
McLaren and Ferrari continue to dominate, as Raikkonen led the way during Free Practice 1 and Hamilton topped the time sheets during FP2. There were several incidents during the day. At one point the track was red flagged as a drain cover had worked itself loose and water was leaking onto the circuit. Both Renaults touched the barriers at the same place, but at different times, with Alonso having to go back to the garage for a new rear wing. Also, Coulthard and Heidfeld both suffered mechanical breakdowns, whilst Trulli was another victim of the barriers.
Max Mosley turned up for his first Grand Prix appearance since his private life scandal broke. He visited the FIA motorhome for some meetings, then returned to his private offices, and made no comment to the waiting media.
Elsewhere today, Bernie Ecclestone has apparently said there is no place for the British Grand Prix on the calendar from 2010. As ever, Bernie is saying the GPDA need to meet the upgrade requirements before anything can be decided.
That’s all for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
21-May-08: McLaren Regain Fifth Garage Position
It’s the 21st May and this is F1 Minute.
McLaren have been moved back up the pitlane in Monaco, regaining the fifth spot amongst the garages that they had at the start of the season. Before the Bahrain Grand Prix, McLaren were pushed down to the last garage, but said it was not a disadvantage and was maybe even a good thing. However, now, and the reason has not yet been disclosed, they are once again in the fifth garage.
Max Mosley has stirred up emotions with a letter to automobile clubs, warning them that if he is ousted from the presidency next week, the FIA may risk losing control of F1 to commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone and FOM. In turn, Bernie has replied and said it sounds a little bit like a threat of war, and if it is so, he is completely prepared to stand his ground.
Elsewhere today, Jenson Button has ordered two planes from Honda in the hopes of setting up an aviation charter business. The light business jets apparently cost over $7 million and will be delivered in 2012.
That’s all for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.