31-Oct-08: Massa and Alonso Take First Honours at Brazil
It’s the 31st October 2008, and you’re listening to F1 Minute.
Massa topped the timesheets in Free Practice 1, today, as the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend got underway. Hamilton wasn’t too far behind though, sandwiched between his title rival and Raikkonen. It was a quiet session, with just a few drops of rain here and there to make things a bit slippery. Kimi had a spin shortly after coming out of the garage for the first time, but there was no harm done.
FP2 was similar, although this time Hamilton was further back during the session, ultimately finishing 9th to Massa’s 2nd. Trulli put in an impressive lap to end the day in 3rd, particularly because he was excused from all duties on Thursday due to a bout of flu. Alonso spent a lot of the afternoon at the bottom of the timesheets and then with just over a minute to go, he popped up to the top.
Lastly today, Coulthard has admitted that the emotions of leaving the sport have finally hit him. He said when he got to the airport he suddenly realised he’d be leaving as an F1 driver and returning as an ex-driver.
That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
30-Oct-08: Championship Winner’s Family to Wave Chequered Flag
This is F1 Minute and it’s the 30th October 2008.
With just one day to go until the action kicks off in Brazil, it’s all anyone is talking about. The officials at Interlagos have said that the family of whoever wins the championship will get to wave the chequered flag at the end of the race. Thus Lewis Hamilton’s father and brother, or Felipe Massa’s mum and dad could get the chance to signal the title for their loved one.
Also, at his last Grand Prix before retirement, David Coulthard will be running a special livery, mostly white, and dedicated to the Wings for Life charity. About the connection, Coulthard said: “In Formula One success is determined by a few seconds, in medicine people think in terms of years. But in both disciplines, ambition and commitment are crucial factors that are needed in order to reach the finishing line as soon as possible. Wings for Life helps to accelerate the breakthrough in spinal cord research.”
And finally, the weather updates going into this weekend are overcast, but warm, with the chance of showers over all three days.
That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
29-Oct-08: Mallya Will Reveal Force India Engine Supplier Soon
Welcome to F1 Minute for the 29th October 2008.
In his preview quotes ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix this weekend, Force India owner Vijay Mallya admitted that they would be revealing their engine supplier for next season very soon. He said: “I will make sure that my team has the best solution for engine, drivetrain and KERS possible so we can get a good head start and try to get the points that have eluded us so far this season.” He also mentioned that the lack of points was disappointing, because he knows the team are improving, but says it’s because they are concentrating on 2009.
This comes on top of Ron Dennis’ thoughts on the subject a few days ago. He said that discussions with Force India were still on track, despite the standard engine concerns: “So far we are not in a binding commitment on either side. We are very open to trying to achieve our goal, which is not to make money or lose money, but to be an absolute supporter of one of the independent teams - who are not the lifeblood of F1 but an essential ingredient of F1.”
That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
28-Oct-08: Ferrari Warn of Exit Over Standard Engines
You’re listening to F1 Minute and it’s the 28th October 2008.
Finally, we are getting word from teams about how they feel the standard engine will affect them. Toyota president John Howett said that manufacturers would be bound to leave if the standard engine came in to the regulations. He said: “If it is forced through, then it is not a decision we will take here, it will be taken by the board in Japan, but they want a degree of differentiation between teams.” Ferrari also issued a warning saying: “The use of same engines would deprive F1 of its competition and technological development. The board reserves the right to consider, together with our partners, our presence in this discipline.”
Despite two of the major teams in F1 admitting they might leave, the FIA remains steadfast on the ruling. The governing body issued a statement saying it wasn’t up to them to give in and change it, but for teams to either agree or come up with a suitable alternative.
That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
27-Oct-08: The FIA Push on with Standard Engine Plans
This is F1 Minute and it’s the 27th October 2008.
The FIA announced today that they’ve had a couple of interested parties in the standard engine tender, and therefore they’ll be going ahead with the plan to introduce them from 2010 to 2012. We also learned that regardless of whether a team chooses to build the engine or buy it, the entire grid’s engine power should only vary by 1%. Interestingly, Autosport.com is reporting that a source within the FOTA has said that none of their member teams will be applying for the engine tender. Someone outside the sport, then?
Elsewhere, Honda have said they will be testing like mad over the winter in an attempt to move further up the grid. Team Principal Ross Brawn said: “”We’ve kept our testing mileage and our tyres for the winter testing, which is another thing that is reflected this season. I believe we have more tyres left for winter testing than any other team, which is something we consciously did because of our approach.”
That’s all for today, I’ll be back with another F1 Minute tomorrow.
26-Oct-08: Kovalainen and Massa Both Aiming for the Win
Welcome to F1 Minute, it’s the 26th October.
It’s a slow news day today, so let’s look at how the two championship contenders and their team mates are gearing up for next week’s final race in Brazil.
Kovalainen has said his main objective for the race is to win, not only to boost his one victory tally this season, but also to do his best for McLaren. He says: “Clearly, I want to be able to help the team and Lewis wherever necessary - but the easiest way to do that is to be running at the front. The team knows I will play my part, but we are also targeting the constructors’ championship.”
Massa has admitted that he’s not feeling any pressure, despite being seven points behind. He believes all the pressure is on Hamilton: “It’s true that I have a tougher job than Lewis in terms of the points situation, but my objective for this weekend is much more straightforward than his. I only have to focus on winning the race on Sunday with hopefully Kimi second behind me.”
For his part, Lewis says he is keeping a level head and his approach will not change at all, and Kimi is being characteristically quiet but does say he wants a Brazil 1-2.
That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
25-Oct-08: Wurz Believes Honda Have KERS Edge
Today is the 25th October 2008, and this is F1 Minute.
Alex Wurz, test driver for Honda, believes that his team have made great strides in their KERS development for next season, so much so that they should be way ahead of the competition. However, the Austrian is still realistic about what Honda will be able to achieve next year: “It’s not going to take you from the back of the grid to the front. By the same token, not having it on-board isn’t going to demote you from the front row to the back either. The influence of KERS on the whole package is not enough to create that significant a difference, but we’ll rest easier in our beds than many of our opponents.”
Meanwhile DTM driver Paul di Resta feels that he is ready to break into F1 and it doesn’t matter which team helps him make the step up. He is currently linked with McLaren, through the Mercedes Young Driver Program but said he wouldn’t mind being at the back of the grid. This hints at a Force India seat, as they have the rumoured technology deal with McLaren for next year. However, Force India have already announced their drivers, so this could be pure speculation.
That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
24-Oct-08: Portugal to Host Mid-Winter Test
This is F1 Minute for the 24th October 2008.
Both McLaren and Honda have today confirmed that they will be visiting a new track for some of their winter testing. The Autodromo Internacional Algarve in Portugal opens at the beginning of November, and the test will be in mid-December. According to Autosport.com, the track will be under evaluation as a possible entrant to the 2009 test schedule, and it’s no secret that officials will be looking to impress in the hopes of getting an F1 race held there in the future.
Elsewhere today, Lucas di Grassi believes there is a “good possibility” he could make the step up from Renault test driver to race seat in 2009. He says: “They have the possibility of extending my contract, so I am waiting for their decision to see if it will be with Renault or if I will have permission to negotiate with other teams”.
Finally, McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh has been talking about the buildup to Brazil, and says that reliability is the main worry in the garage, that and the possibility of a safety car.
That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
23-Oct-08: Di Montezemolo Wants Team Orders Rule Changed
Welcome to F1 Minute for the 23rd October 2008.
Luca di Montezemolo has been busy this week, but still has time to request a regulation change. He wants to get rid of the team orders ruling, as he says it’s really quite hypocritical. After the Ferrari switch at last weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix, opinion is divided on whether the ruling should be ditched because teams are obviously flouting it, or whether the FIA should tighten up on the regulation and stop it happening. We heard yesterday that Kimi was more than happy to step down in favour of Felipe, and di Montezemolo says that was the right thing to do: “The important thing is not to damage others. Besides that, team work, in a team sport, is one of the best things.”
Another follow up on yesterday’s minute is the meeting between the Montreal mayor and Bernie Ecclestone, with the mayor saying: “”We have a better understanding of the issues, we still have a lot of work to do to evaluate all the options, but it is still possible to hold a Grand Prix in Montreal in 2009 and subsequent years.”
That’s it for today, please join me again tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
22-Oct-08: Raikkonen Happy to Help Massa Where he Can
It’s the 22nd October 2008, and this is F1 Minute.
Kimi Raikkonen has confirmed that he was happy about giving up his place to Massa in the Chinese Grand Prix, and that he’d do so again in an instant. Regarding the switch, Raikkonen said: “Once you don’t fight for the title anymore, it doesn’t make a difference if I come in second or third, as long as the points for Ferrari remain the same.” For the Brazil race, he said: “I’d be glad if I could do something for Felipe, that he can win the title and Ferrari will be again victorious in the constructors’ championship in the last race of the season.” That’s quite a wishlist!
Elsewhere, Autosport.com are reporting that members of the Montreal government have flown in to meet with Bernie Ecclestone in London today to discuss the future of the Canadian Grand Prix. The mayor and two ministers are meeting or have met with Ecclestone, and have said that they are willing to negotiate. Apparently the Grand Prix is worth around $75 million to Montreal, and brings in plenty of spin off tourism as well.
That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.