Essential Reading for December 29th, 2008

Recommended links for December 29th, 2008:

• It’s out! Alonso has a Ferrari contract - They would have hired Alonso in 2006 when they took Raikkonen were it not for the fact that Alonso had fallen out with Jean Todt after pulling out of an agreed testing contract in 2001, to sign for Renault.

  Todt said he would never drive for Ferrari, but Todt’s influence is now reduced at Ferrari and Montezemolo clearly felt that they had hired the wrong man when they took Raikkonen instead of Alonso in 2006.

• A Grand Prix in Rome? - Maurizio Flammini was a winning Formula 2 driver in his day. Flammini is now saying that he would like to see a Formula 1 street race in Rome. It is not a new idea but the idea that Monza will be dropped from the F1 calendar is pretty unlikely, given the continued popularity of the event, the investment that has been made at the track by the local government, and the historic traditions of the venue, which go back to 1921.

  Flammini says that the current F1 trend towards street races, taking the races to the people rather than vice versa, would make Rome an ideal location for a race.

• Honda Racing deny reports billionaire Carlos Slim is ready to take over the team - Italian newspaper La Stampa wrote on Saturday that Slim had agreed a deal that would see the team line up on the grid in 2009 with Englishman Jenson Button and Bruno Senna as their drivers.

  But Brawn told Telegraph Sport on Sunday that, while talks are ongoing with "a number of interested parties," speculation concerning the Mexican billionaire is wide of the mark.

Essential Reading for December 25th, 2008

Recommended links for December 25th, 2008:

• Alonso in fresh Ferrari link - Speculation linking Fernando Alonso with a future at Ferrari reappeared on Sunday, when Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport reported he had a four-year deal signed from 2011.

  Respected journalist Pino Allievi has now written that Alonso has a four year deal in place from 2011, with get-out clauses agreed for both sides.

• Honda F1 team in line for rescue package from Mexican billionaire - Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim, the world's second richest man, has rescued the Honda Formula One team, Italian newspaper La Stampa has reported.

  "The saviour has arrived: Carlos Slim, 67 years old, the second richest man in the world," said the newspaper.

• Brundle latest to sign up for F2 - Alex Brundle, the 18-year-old son of former grand prix driver and BBC commentator Martin, has entered the Formula 2 Championship for 2009.

  Martin Brundle, who never raced in Formula 2 but jumped straight from F3 to F1 when he was climbing the motorsport ladder, added: "F2 cars will be fast, competitive, strong, equal, high profile and good value.

  "This ticks many boxes for parents and sponsors and the direct F1 link is important too."

25-Dec-08: Merry Christmas to F1 Minute Listeners

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Today is the 25th December 2008 and this is the 365th episode of F1 Minute. That means you can now listen to one episode of F1 Minute every day for a year… except Leap Years, like this one.

Anyway, there is little in the way of Formula 1 news today, apparently it’s some kind of holiday. That being the case, I’d like to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and hope you are having a good festive season. Thank you to everyone who listens to F1 Minute, has the player installed on their own sites, and has left comments on F1Minute.com. It’s been a good year for the minute, and we have some exciting plans for 2009 as well. There are already additional features on the site, if you haven’t visited for a while, check out F1Minute.com for quotes, snippets and links and of course, the daily show.

There’s unlikely to be any major F1 developments over the next few days, so F1 Minute will take a short break and will return on the 1st January. Merry Christmas once again, and I’ll see you in the New Year.

24-Dec-08: Karthikeyan Blasts Force India Link Speculation

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This is F1 Minute and it’s the 24th December 2008.

Narain Karthikeyan has hit back at suggestions that he has been spurned by Force India, in quite a vicious way. The former-F1 racer said: “I spent a frustrating time with Jordan, where I had a car that just could not perform. I have no desire to be with another pedestrian team that’s low on performance and loud on talk. The vibes from the camp have been extremely negative and I want to make it clear that I am not interested in driving for Force India.” I’m not entirely sure what’s so bad about being linked to Force India, but he’s clearly not happy about it. He also said that Spyker offered him a job in 2007 but he: “declined as the team was going nowhere.”

Elsewhere today, rumours are starting to appear that Ferrari will reconsider their contract with Michael Schumacher when it runs out in 2009. Continuing on his cost-cutting drive, Stefano Domenicali has said ’09 sees nothing change but after that, the deal will have to be assessed for it’s costs and benefits.

That’s it for today, please join me again tomorrow for another F1 Minute.

Force India’s star quality

From the unique style of the speed divas to the exuberant parties on board superyachts, Dr Vijay Mallya’s UB Group is closely associated with spectacle, dynamism and, above all, glamour.

In its debut year in the FIA Formula One World Championship, the Force India Formula One Team has similarly been imbued with the same glamorous outlook. Over the nine month season the team has hosted a brace of Indian and international stars and, in association with Kingfisher, has hosted some of the biggest parties seen in F1.

Bollywood came to town in a big way. The Mumbai-based Indian film sector presented some its brightest stars, with Riya Sen, Raima Sen, Sonam Kapoor, Imran Khan and the grand doyenne of Bollywood, Shilpa Shetty, all making appearances.

The natural link between Force India and India’s national sport cricket also led to some very familiar faces being seen in the team’s new three-storey motorhome; cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar, one of the greatest batsmen of all time, and Mohammed Azharuddin, former Indian cricket captain.

International celebrities included Ralf Moeller, the German star of Gladiator, James Caan, entrepreneur and star of BBC’s Dragon’s Den, Italian rock star Max Gazze (a close friend of Giancarlo Fisichella) and pop legend Leo Sayer.

The parties on board Dr Mallya’s private yacht, the 95-metre Indian Empress, were also a hallmark of the new team. Force India and Kingfisher hosted not one, but three parties over the season – one in Turkey and the opening and closing parties in Monaco.

Dr Mallya’s private yacht was full to bursting with guests, all dancing to top DJs Aqeel, David Morales, Norman Jay and Renault test driver Sakon Yamamoto, who also took a turn on the decks.

Paddock stars such as Bernie Ecclestone, Ron Dennis and Martin Whitmarsh of McLaren, Christian Horner and Adrian Newey of Red Bull Racing mixed with major international names such as Kate Hudson and Lance Armstrong and of course F1 drivers past and present including two former World Champions, Keke Rosberg and Jacques Villeneuve, Eddie Irvine, Johnny Herbert, Marc Surer, Martin Brundle and Mark Blundell.
The team gave Good Times and promises to give more Good Times during the 2009 season.

23-Dec-08: Massa Disagrees with Salary Cut Ideas

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Welcome to F1 Minute for the 23rd December 2008.

With all the talk of cost-cutting that has taken place recently, the latest development is the idea of teams cutting their driver salaries. Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali said that he believed a revolution in driver wages would occur that would see smaller amounts offered to retain talent in the future. Now, Felipe Massa has said that the driver is fundamental to the team, and that costs can be cut elsewhere. He would say that, though, wouldn’t he? Also, Massa isn’t a fan of the standard engine, saying: “I do not find this idea interesting. The fight to diminish costs is important, but a standard engine gets away from what F1 is all about - and it cannot happen.”

Elsewhere today, Toro Rosso have confirmed they’ve signed up Gianfranco Fantuzzi as team manager. He was previously at Toyota and now replaces the Ferrari-bound Massimo Rivola.

That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.

Essential Reading for December 23rd, 2008

Recommended links for December 23rd, 2008:

• Toyota backs call for bigger slice of income - As Toyota forecast its first ever annual operating loss yesterday, the head of the Japanese car giant's Formula One team threw his weight behind Ferrari's efforts to wrest a greater share of the sport's huge revenue stream from Bernie Ecclestone.

  Howett was unimpressed. “He may be trying to [split Fota] but all the information that was given is very transparent and openly shared among the members of Fota, so it was a bit of a non-event because everybody is aware of the historic status [of Ferrari],” Howett said.

• Toro Rosso confirm new team manager - Scuderia Toro Rosso have confirmed that Gianfranco Fantuzzi will be their new team manager, replacing Massimo Rivola who has joined Ferrari.

  The reshuffle comes as the team continue working hard on their preparations for 2009, where they will bid to try and match the form that helped them to a maiden victory at the Italian Grand Prix.

• Exclusive interview - FIA President Max Mosley - Mosley was not expected to run again for re-election in 2009. However, the last word on this has not yet been spoken and the FIA President will make his final decision next June…

  "The withdrawal of Honda was a surprise. They were good enough to inform us in confidence four days before announcing it, but they would have been one of the last teams I would have expected to withdraw."

22-Dec-08: Toyota Forecast Record Loss for 08/09

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It’s the 22nd December 2008 and this is F1 Minute.

Toyota have announced a forecast for this financial year that sees their first ever operating loss. Last year, the automotive giant made a record profit of over $25 billion which has now turned into a loss of $1.7 billion. Team President John Howett has clarified that Toyota remain committed to Formula 1 and the team are not struggling. He said it’s not just motorsport teams suffering and that he was more concerned with the 2009 regulations than any budget problems.

Talking of the ‘09 rules, Sebastian Vettel has added his voice to those worried about the safety of KERS. He said: “My concern is that so far no one has had a real thought about safety. It has to be quicker, it has to be reliable, but under any scenario it has to be safe for us drivers - and all the people working around the car.” Apparently Red Bull won’t even run their KERS device until February, which is leaving things to the last moment.

That’s it for today, please join me again tomorrow for another F1 Minute.

Essential Reading for December 22nd, 2008

Recommended links for December 22nd, 2008:

• Gordon, Tata and Ferrari - Following this week's news that Indian giant Tata is to sponsor Ferrari, there is growing concern that this might be at the expense of the British taxpayer.

  While British race fans fear for the future of the British Grand Prix, the government having made it quite clear that it will not intervene with financial support for the event, the thought of subsidising a foreign car manufacturer that would in turn sponsor Ferrari, might be just too much to bear.

• Watch out for the Koreans - There is much talk of David Richards taking over the Honda F1 team, and there are clear signs that is his intention.

  The other name that we have heard mentioned is that of Korea's Hyundai Kia Automotive Group. This is the world's fifth largest automaker, producing 1.6 million units annually, but it has no profile at all in the sport at the moment, although the company was involved in the World Rally Championship until 2003.

• Donington Park’s plans for the British GP - Simon Gillett, the chief executive of Donington Park, has not said a great deal about his plans for the British Grand Prix in 2010, arguing that it is best to let his actions speak for him. He understands that there is much cynicism in F1 circles and scepticism that the idea will ever come to fruition.

  Gillett says that his goal is not only to make the track sustainable but also to make sure that his customers enjoy the experience and return year after year. He says that the sport long ago lost sight of how to treat the public and needs to focus on that to develop in the future.

  Perhaps the most spectacular element of his plan is to close East Midlands Airport over the race weekend and use the facilities to fly in F1 charters from all over Europe, executive jets, helicopters and to use the airport parking. To achieve this he simply has to offer the airlines involved a better deal than they would get from passengers.

Quotes Roundup - Week Ending 21st Dec

The very best from the mouths of those in the know.

The Future of KERS

New technologies always come with mixed reactions…

• We are behind on schedule with KERS. We have prepared a hybrid car to test the system but unfortunately it is not ready yet.” Gilles Simon, Ferrari Engine Chief
• “My personal concern for next season is the safety aspect of the KERS system. My question is whether it will be safe enough to race. For a team racing with KERS the expectations are clear - it has to be quicker and one hundred per cent reliable. But I think there’s one thing people underestimate at this stage - is it safe enough?” Sebastian Vettel
• “Our cars will for sure also run without KERS. And it’s my opinion that the car built without KERS can go quicker than the car built with KERS but not using it. KERS needs space and if you then don’t use it, you’re wasting space in the car.” Robert Kubica

Ex-Honda Drivers

What next for Button and Barrichello…

• “Things are going better and better at Toro Rosso. My laps were improving every day. I hope to get a strong team-mate next season and if it was up to me I would prefer to have Jenson Button racing next to me.” Sebastien Buemi
• “When you sit down in the cold light of day and realise the liability you would be taking on, and the huge restructuring of staff and resources that will be needed, investors will have to think long and hard before taking a punt.” David Richards
• “I have unfinished business in F1. I am sure I can finish higher up, if not winning the championship. I really believe that is what I deserve. It would be a shame not to use the services of someone so eager to do it, plus with all the experience and the speed. It is the right time - and it comes with the willingness to do well.” Rubens Barrichello

2009 Expectations

The promises of good performance start here…

• “With the new rules it could all change, especially with the slick tyres, and different downforce levels. I think it’s very important to build a good car for those rules, and to try to run as soon as possible with the new car with the slicks. With the new partnerships I think it’s a great opportunity for us.” Giancarlo Fisichella
• “Once the new car comes in February the race drivers will be in that all the time, so at this stage I don’t expect to do a great deal of running outside of promotional events.But my contract is there and my training is continuing - I haven’t wound down in that respect, and I will have primarily an advisory role in the team.” David Coulthard
• “Our reliability record compared to the other teams was good, but we still lost points on several occasions due to problems and we must strive to eliminate any reliability problems because lost points can be very costly in terms of the championship. We will target 100 per cent reliability even if we know it’s an ambitious target.” Tadashi Yamashina, Toyota Team Principal

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