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.

BMW Sauber F1 Team - Test in Jerez - Day three

Weather conditions: Cloudy all day with very little sun in the afternoon.
Temperature: Air: 6 – 12 °C, Track: 6 – 13 °C
Number of drivers participating: 5 from 3 teams
Fastest lap overall: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing) 1:16.617 min
Circuit length: 4.428 km

Robert Kubica
Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.08B-06 / BMW 86/9
Test kilometres today: 443 km (100 laps)
Fastest lap: 1:19.013 min

Christian Klien
Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.08B-03 / BMW 86/9 KERS
Test kilometres today: 169 km (38 laps)
Fastest lap: 1:19.066 min

Programme:
For the third and final day of testing the BMW Sauber F1 Team used two interim cars, which were based on the 2008 chassis with some of the bodywork from the 2009 regulations. In Jerez the team came as close as could be to the test kilometres and sets of tyres allocated for the 2008 testing season.

In the morning Christian Klien drove the KERS’ equipped F1.08B. Working on different energy strategies, the team continued the development work as scheduled. “We made good progress today”, Klien said. “We still have a lot of work to do on the KERS system. But the promising test results show we are moving in the right direction.”

Robert Kubica in the sister car, but without KERS, tried numerous set-up solutions aiming to improve on the results from using the new slick tyres. For the afternoon session, according to the plan, he switched to the KERS’ equipped car, but due to a mechanical failure he had to abandon the scheduled programme. Kubica then got back into the conventional F1.08B and continued testing for the rest of the day.

What comes next:
This concludes the 2008 testing season for the BMW Sauber F1 Team.

Caldarelli completes Panasonic Toyota Racing test

Panasonic Toyota Racing brought the curtain down on its 2008 testing programme by introducing a new face behind the wheel of the TF108, with Italian youngster Andrea Caldarelli completing his first official Formula 1 test.

The 17th and final test of the year for Panasonic Toyota Racing saw the team continue its work at the Bahrain International Circuit, taking advantage of the good weather conditions to ensure its annual 30,000km test allowance was fully used.

Andrea is 18 years old and hails from the same Italian city as Jarno Trulli, Pescara. He was given the chance to test a TF108 thanks to the Toyota Young Drivers Programme (TDP) which has supported his career since 2007.

Andrea, who last season raced in both the Formula Renault West European Championship and Eurocup, completed 128 laps in total during Monday and Tuesday, putting in a consistent performance and ending with a best lap of 1min 33.170secs, just two seconds off Jarno’s qualifying time for the Bahrain Grand Prix, despite different track conditions.

He said: “This has been a great experience for me and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. To get the chance to test a Formula 1 car when I am still only 18 is such a good opportunity and I was determined to make the most of it.

“Obviously the TF108 is a big step up compared to my usual car; the power is amazing but so are the brakes, and the grip you have going round corners takes a few laps to adjust to. I think I did a good job considering the circuit is new to me and this is my first full Formula 1 test.

“I would like to say thank you to Panasonic Toyota Racing for giving me the chance to test the TF108. This experience gives me extra motivation to fight as hard as possible to one day race a Formula 1 car.”

Timo Glock was also in action in Bahrain, continuing the programme of 2009 preparation which Jarno began last week.

That meant analysing the new Bridgestone Potenza slick tyres in conjunction with a low-downforce aerodynamic configuration, while the RVX-08 engine was put through its paces with an eye on next season, when engines must last for three race weekends.

In addition, a new gearbox and other mechanical devices were tested while some work was completed to advance the team’s Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) development. The team expect to test KERS for the first time on track in January.

Timo made good progress, gathering plenty of data to assist in preparations for next season. He completed a total of 258 laps with a best time of 1min 32.090s. Third driver Kamui Kobayashi used up the final kilometres of the team’s 2008 testing allowance, completing 33 laps today.

Giancarlo Fisichella Q&A

We asked Giancarlo Fisichella for his thoughts on the 2008 season and the year to come.

Q: What’s your overall feeling on the season?
‘It was a difficult season, and we knew it would be. Actually at the beginning of the season in some places we were very close to getting to the top 16 and also reasonably close to the points, quite close to manufacturer teams such as Honda and to other people. It was actually a tough season. We went in the right direction sometimes, but we lost a bit of direction later in the season, and in the last few races we stopped development of the 2008 car so it was very difficult to keep pushing.’

Q: You’d been driving for a team that had just won two World Championships, so was it hard to find yourself near the back of the grid?
‘It was tough mentally, but every time I sit in a car I do my best – it’s your job, so you have to do as well as you can. I just hope that we have a better car for 2009!’

Q: What were the highlights of this year?
‘The best position was 10th in Barcelona. It was a good race as we were fighting for the position rather than being in there by retirements further up the field. In Singapore I was third for a few laps, then second and even one lap I was the leader, which made a pleasant change! Monza was the best qualifying of the year for sure, getting to Q2 was really an achievement, particularly in the difficult conditions – you had to get the timing just right. In Valencia I was just 1.3s slower than the quickest, it was a very good lap, but unfortunately I was only 18th. Four or five years ago, when you were 1.3s slower than the quickest, you were fourth or fifth!’

Q: You had some races where you made a good start and were able to hold on to a good position for a while. Was that fun?
‘Yes of course, sometimes I kept cars that were much quicker than me behind me, like in Spain and also in Brazil, where Hamilton was behind me for a couple of laps. That was not too bad.’

Q: Was it disappointing that there were several races affected by rain or safety cars and the team was not able to score any points?
‘Exactly, in places like Australia, Monaco, Silverstone it was possible to score and we had different problems in each – in Australia there were the accidents, Monaco I had a gearbox problem and Silverstone the conditions were just so difficult we were on the wrong tyre at the wrong time. We were unlucky not to be able to score some points for the team. For sure it’s not as you’d hope, but we have to hope that when the chances come in 2009 we will be there.’

Q: And of course when you’re starting further back you can get involved in first lap incidents…
‘It’s not easy! When you start at the back it’s not easy under braking for the first corner, there’s a lot traffic, everyone wants to overtake, and there is not enough space, and sometimes things happen. It happened in a few races. In Australia I was taken out by Glock or Piquet – in those situations everyone is trying to make up places that you have to be so careful. It would have been good to have gone to the end of the race there, but it didn’t happen. We knew qualifying was the weak point and we’re trying to make sure it doesn’t happen again in ’09.’

Q: What have you enjoyed most about the year?
‘The good thing was the great atmosphere in the team. Even in those conditions the guys were really professional, they were always pushing, and that was good. It was a positive season on that side, maybe because there was less pressure and I had a friendship with everybody.’

Q: Had the team changed since you last drove for it as Jordan in 2003?
‘I think it’s bigger. There are a few new guys, but I knew most of them from the last time I was here. It felt very much like old days sometimes.’

Q: What is Vijay like as a boss?
‘He’s a nice guy, he loves the sport, and he’s done a fantastic job. For India it’s a great opportunity to be in F1, so they must say thank you to him. I’m sure he’s doing quite a lot for India and for us. It is good to have someone who is a positive influence on the team.’

Q: Did you enjoy your visits to India at the start of the season?
‘It’s nice to discover a new country. Obviously it’s far away and very different from where I live, but it was good to stay a few days there, and the launch of the car was a nice party.’

Q: How do you feel about next season?
‘I’m looking forward to it. 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.’

Q: Do you think that the team can make a real step forward?
‘We have a better chance than this year for sure, but nobody knows how things will work out with the new rules! We’ll only see that in Australia…’

Global PC company Lenovo teams up with leading Formula 1 team Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

Global PC manufacturer Lenovo and Vodafone McLaren Mercedes today announced a partnership ahead of the 2009 Formula 1 season. Lenovo notebook and desktop PCs will provide the team’s mission-critical computing solutions, both at the race track and at the team’s headquarters.

Lenovo engineers and technology specialists have already begun to specify the mobile wireless computing technology required by the Formula 1 race team as well as the fast and demanding desktop computing needs of the pit garage and pit wall battlestations. Lenovo technology is being integrated into the heart of the team as it travels the world on the Formula 1 calendar.

Martin Whitmarsh, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes CEO Formula 1, said: “Both Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and Lenovo are committed to the competitive advantages from exceptional engineering. We are looking forward to the significant technology contribution that Lenovo will provide through its notebooks and desktop computer solutions.”

The partnership with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes provides a highly visible demonstration of Lenovo’s exceptional engineering as the corporation strengthens its position in the global marketplace. Lenovo is a leader in the technology race for fast, reliable and wireless computing power.

“Vodafone McLaren Mercedes performs at the highest level in Formula 1 and integrates PC technology into every aspect of its car design, development and racing — as well as its business operations,” said Deepak Advani, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Lenovo. “Lenovo has an excellent heritage of computing performance and reliability in complex, high-profile, global events — such as the Olympic Games — and we look forward to making a significant contribution to the team.”

Formula 1 teams have long been pioneering users of high-speed computer technology, using trackside PCs to perform a wide variety of tasks ranging from starting the cars through to the complex analysis of thousands of data points transmitted from the cars to the pits during the races. Vodafone McLaren Mercedes goes a step further, however, supplying statisticians and engineers back in the UK with real-time race data from anywhere in the world. Such a complex operation provides an excellent platform for showcasing personal computing technologies that highlight innovation, reliability and performance.

BMW Sauber F1 Team - Test in Jerez - Day two

Weather conditions: Sunny all day, too cold for testing early in the morning.
Temperature: Air: 3 – 15 °C, Track: 3 – 18 °C
Number of drivers participating: 5 from 3 teams
Fastest lap overall: Sébastien Buemi (Red Bull Racing) 1:17.029 min
Circuit length: 4.428 km

Robert Kubica
Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.08B-03 / BMW 86/9 KERS
Test kilometres today: 271 km (61 laps)
Fastest lap: 1:20.006 min

Nick Heidfeld
Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.08B-06 / BMW 86/9
Test kilometres today: 377 km (85 laps)
Fastest lap: 1:19.303 min

Programme:
The BMW Sauber F1 Team again ran two F1.08B interim cars that are based on the 2008 chassis with some of the bodywork from the 2009 regulations. While Nick Heidfeld used a conventional car, Robert Kubica continued the development work with BMW’s own KERS device. Both drivers started their test programmes nearly two hours late due to the cold morning temperatures.

After the sun had heated up the track, Heidfeld and Kubica worked on the set-up of their respective cars. The main goal again was collecting data in preparation for the 2009 season. Kubica concentrated on energy strategies while using the KERS system. Heidfeld evaluated different solutions for the mechanical set-up of the car, while the team collected more information on the new slick tyres. “After the delay in the morning the weather was nearly perfect, so overall it was a good day for me“, Heidfeld said after completing 85 laps. “I did short as well as long runs to compare tyre wear. At the end of the session I did some race start simulations, as this is also an area where we have to adjust to the slick tyres.”

What comes next:
The BMW Sauber F1 Team will continue testing in Jerez tomorrow. Robert Kubica and Christian Klien will be on duty.

ING Renault F1 Team R29 Launch – New timing

As the test session at the Algarve Motor Park is now due to start on Monday the 19th of January, we have been obliged to modify our programme for the official presentation of the R29 as follow:

Monday 19/01

08:30 Photocall in front of the ING Renault F1 Team garage – Car reveal

09:00 – 17:00 Testing session

17:30 – 19:00 Media interviews in the AIA VIP Lounge with the ING Renault F1 Team drivers and management.

Accreditations to this test session and to our official launch should be requested to the Algarve Motor Park press office.

BMW Sauber F1 Team - Test in Jerez - Day one

Weather conditions: Sunny all day, but very cold in the morning.
Temperature: Air: 4 – 12 °C, Track: 4 – 16 °C
Number of drivers participating: 5 from 3 teams
Fastest lap overall: Sébastien Buemi (Red Bull Racing) 1:17.704 min
Circuit length: 4.428 km

Nick Heidfeld
Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.08B-06 / BMW 86/9
Test kilometres today: 333 km (75 laps)
Fastest lap: 1:19.360 min

Christian Klien
Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.08B-03 / BMW 86/9 KERS
Test kilometres today: 417 km (94 laps)
Fastest lap: 1:19.655 min

Programme:
Today the BMW Sauber F1 Team had two interim cars in Jerez for testing duties, with both are based on the 2008 chassis and featuring some 2009 regulations’ body work. In addition, Christian Klien’s car was fitted with BMW’s own KERS device. Klein and Nick Heidfeld evaluated different set-up options in preparation for the 2009 season.

“We also did some tyre testing to learn more about the potential of the new slick tyres”, said Heidfeld. Around lunch time Nick Heidfeld’s car stopped out on the track when the telemetry data indicated a mechanical problem. After a precautionary engine change he was able resume his testing programme.
Klien’s F108B ran without any noteworthy problems. Completing 94 laps, he tried different configurations of the KERS system.

What comes next:
The last test session of 2008 will continue in Jerez for two more days. Tomorrow Nick Heidfeld will again be at the wheel of the BMW Sauber F1.08B, and will be joined by Robert Kubica. On Wednesday Robert Kubica and Christian Klien will be testing.

Waldschmidt completes maiden Panasonic Toyota Racing test

Young Dutch driver Henki Waldschmidt took part in his first official Formula 1 test when he completed a successful two-day run for Panasonic Toyota Racing at the Bahrain International Circuit.

The 20-year-old, who was born in The Hague, is a member of the Toyota Young Drivers Programme (TDP) and raced in the Formula 3 Euro Series in 2008, having previously progressed through the Formula Renault ranks.

As in previous year’s Panasonic Toyota Racing is playing its part in developing TDP drivers and Henki was given two days behind the wheel of a TF108 at the team’s penultimate test of 2008 to give him invaluable experience of a Formula 1 car.

Henki completed 128 laps and improved continuously throughout Wednesday and Thursday, finishing with a highly respectable best lap of 1min 33.430secs, within 1.5secs of Jarno Trulli’s fastest time in qualifying for the 2008 Bahrain Grand Prix, despite different track conditions and different goals.

He said: “I am very grateful to Panasonic Toyota Racing for giving me this opportunity to test a Formula 1 car for the first time. It has been a fantastic experience and I have learned a lot. The performance of the TF108 is incredible compared to the cars I am used to driving and the experience of handling the power, the brakes and the downforce will be very helpful to me in my career.

“I was very impressed to see how professional the team is and I can understand why they have made so much progress in the last year or so. They gave me a lot of useful information to prepare me for each day and helped me to improve my understanding of the car.

“I was not particularly familiar with the Bahrain circuit so it was a big learning curve on Wednesday but I am very pleased with my performance.”

Jarno was also on track in Bahrain this week, gathering more data on the new Bridgestone Potenza slick tyres and a low downforce aerodynamic configuration to help the team prepare for the 2009 season.

He also tested the RVX-08 engine with a view to the regulation change which extends engine life next year, while trying out a new gearbox and other mechanical devices looking ahead to the 2009 season.

He enjoyed three trouble-free sessions, completing a total of 258 laps over the three days and setting a fastest time of 1min 32.463s.

Test Team Manager Gerd Pfeiffer said: “It has been a productive test and we have achieved what we set out to. The good weather conditions here have helped us to complete a full programme aimed at gathering as much information as possible to help our preparations for 2009; lap times were not our priority. Of course, this was Henki’s first full Formula 1 test and he has made a good impression; he has been very professional and has made a lot of progress over the two days.”

F1 Stars Cap Memorable Season

The star-studded FIA Gala in Monaco capped another memorable season in the FIA Formula One World Championship. It was not going to be easy to surpass last season’s excitement, with a three-way title showdown at the final race, but that is exactly what happened with McLaren-Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton taking the drivers’ championship on the final lap.

Lewis Hamilton said:

“This year has been a very special one in my life – the fulfilment of a dream I’ve had since childhood and an ambition that has taken my family and me on an amazing journey.

“The fact that I won the Drivers’ World Championship on the very last lap of the very last race is something that makes me so proud of our efforts in 2008; we pushed to the limit on every single lap, from Melbourne to Brazil – and it’s that determination and spirit that ultimately won us the world title.

“It’s always very rewarding to receive recognition for all the work you put into the season, and the FIA Prize Giving Gala in Monte-Carlo is of course the fitting venue at which to celebrate all our efforts before we push ahead into 2009.”

Ferrari’s Felipe Massa could not have come closer to winning the championship and was justifiably proud of the role he played in a highly competitive season.

Felipe Massa said:

“This has been an incredibly closely contested season, which produced an amazing final. When you lose the world title by a single point, having had it in your grasp for a handful of seconds, it would be easy to take it badly. But I prefer to look to the future and to see things in a positive light.

“I won six races and played my part in the team taking the Constructors’ Championship, which I know is so important for Ferrari. We are already looking to a new season and I will do my utmost to come back here to Monaco next year to claim the prize which today has gone to Lewis.”

His teammate Kimi Raikkonen was unable to retain the title he won last year but vowed to return stronger next season.

Kimi Raikkonen said: “I would have preferred to be here collecting the World Champion’s trophy for a second consecutive time, but this year, things did not go my way. The season got off to a good start, but then, for various reasons, the situation got complicated and by the time we were back on form, it was already too late.

“However, we learnt some valuable lessons which will come in useful next year. I am happy that Ferrari won, confirming its position as world champion: it’s an exceptional team that never gives up.”

Massa and Raikkonen ensured that Ferrari took the Constructors’ Trophy for the second successive season and Stefano Domenicali was delighted to collect the prize in his first year as team director.

Stefano Domenicali said:

“I am honoured to be here, at the end of my first year in charge of the team, to collect the Constructors’ Trophy that goes to the World Championship-winning team. This is the 16th time in Scuderia Ferrari’s history and the eighth in the last ten years that we have won this award and it comes courtesy of all the hard work, passion and determination put in by everyone at Maranello.

“My thoughts and thanks go to each and every one of them, for what they were able to achieve, to our drivers and also to Ferrari President, Luca di Montezemolo, who along with Jean Todt, chose me to fill this role. He has always given his support, especially during the most difficult moments.”

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