Quotes Roundup – Week Ending 28th February

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

Final Test in Barcelona

The cars get set for their second week of testing…

• “If they did that time with 150 kilos then they were quick. But this time is not the benchmark. It’s early days, and I would not say that any team has made any serious qualifying efforts so far.” Norbert Haug on Red Bull
  
• “I really don’t know where we are, compared to all the other teams. There is such a scatter of lap times and long runs, it is very difficult for me to judge. I think we are quite competitive, but let’s wait.” Pedro de la Rosa
  
• “We are trying to do the best that we can, and then we will find out in Bahrain whether it is enough or not. But to be honest it is never enough, so we are pushing very hard and trying to work as hard as possible in these tests, which are quite crucial for the first few races, and we hope to be ready in Bahrain.” Robert Kubica
  

All About Virgin

The team prepare for the season…

• “Unfortunately when we were running some experimental control settings on the car, which were adversely affecting its handling, this caught Lucas out on the entry to turn nine resulting in a spin and contact with the barrier. We’re going to need to spend the time before tomorrow replacing some broken suspension and wings. We should be back on track tomorrow morning when we hope to really start building up our mileage.” Nick Wirth
  
• “I am thrilled to be joining Virgin Racing. This role offers me a great opportunity to prepare myself for the Formula 1 environment, which is naturally where my longer-term ambitions lie. I look forward to learning from Timo and Lucas as well as soaking up as much information as possible from engineering meetings and time on the simulator.” Andy Soucek
  
• “The way of operating with CFD is just a bit quicker than windtunnel time. A lot of stuff in the windtunnel takes quite a lot of time to make the model and test in the tunnel. That goes much quicker with CFD, but we still have to show people that it is definitely working.” Timo Glock
  

Return of the Michael

Schumacher is ready to race…

• “I cannot make judgements specifically to other teams. At the moment we are not perfectly in the position we would like, to be competitive to win the first races straight away. But we are working hard, the season is long, and the main issue is not to be too far off. This is very difficult to judge right now, what is the real picture.” Michael Schumacher
  
• “For me the age doesn’t matter. I don’t feel like what it says on my passport. The guys I am around with, with most of them I still feel like it’s the good old days. It’s no different for me. It’s the challenge of driving the car, fighting with the other guys and going wheel-to-wheel. It’s a specific thing, it’s difficult to put in words.” Michael Schumacher
  
• “We are working very well together. It has taken very little time to work with the team and get on with everybody, they are very good guys. It’s very professional and a good atmosphere. But we have to prove ourselves on track, testing is one thing racing is another thing.” Michael Schumacher
  

Quotes Roundup – Week Ending 21st February

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

Testing in Jerez

The cars get set for their second week of testing…

• “From the laps that we achieved, we have again confirmed the reliability of the car, and from the impressions and data gathered, we can say that the pace and performance looks very good.” Michael Schumacher
  
• “We hope to get in some more laps in dry conditions because we still have a lot of work to do. The weather forecast is not very good for tomorrow, so we have to make the most of every dry window we get.” Pedro de la Rosa
  
• “Firstly I want to say a big thank you to Fairuz who did an excellent job today with the first proper day of running. With so much going on, such as doing systems checks, it can be a pretty disjointed day for the driver.” Mike Gascoyne
  

More Testing

It’s all about the weather, not speed…

• “We had a few electrical and mechanical problems to fix and check out from the last test. We have a few new parts to check out. Other than that, not much to say – the fifth day with rain on the same circuit. It’s boring.” Giorgio Ascanelli
  
• “It was not so positive, but it’s the same for everybody. It’s important to be here, running in the wet and in the dry. It doesn’t matter the conditions, it’s important to run and make the mileage on the car. We are maybe the team who run the most so I think that’s positive.” Felipe Massa
  
• “You always depend on the conditions. It was dry and wet, damp and in between, nothing really. Some people did more laps, some less. It was always too dry for inters or wets, and when it was raining hard it was too wet to even go out at some stage. That’s a shame because you lose a lot of time and you can’t really test things that you would like to.” Sebastian Vettel
  

F1 Wannabes

Those who would like to get on the grid…

• “Being competitive was something I missed in the last few seasons. There were seats available – with Campos or US F1 – but I don’t feel it was appropriate. The name is F1 but I can’t see those cars being competitive.” Takuma Sato
  
• “At the moment we have to say that we are very near. We are very near to a contract with Jacques Villeneuve, and probably also with another driver as our reserve driver. But the first one which will be with us is Kazuki Nakajima.” Zoran Stefanovich
  
• “I have some propositions to do some GT Open races, and we’ve had some contact with Superleague. Nothing is confirmed. But it wasn’t what I wanted. Formula 1 was always the main objective, so we’ll see what happens.” Alvaro Parente
  

Quotes Roundup – Week Ending 14th February

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

Three Launches

Force India, Red Bull and Lotus all reveal their new cars…

• “There is a compromise now: either make the car much longer or wider, or, as we have done, a combination of both. This of course has influenced the mechanical design solutions and also the aerodynamics, specifically with respects to the diffuser and bodywork.” Mark Smith
  
• “I think you are going to have four teams that are race-winning contenders this season. McLaren and Ferrari look like they have come up with good cars, and for sure the Mercedes GP team is going to be competitive with its driver line-up. But we are quietly confident we’ve made good progress during the winter.” Christian Horner
  
• “What this is about for me, and it is the first launch I have been to where the whole team is here, there is a fantastic buzz about this place, the whole team has given their heart and soul to this project. I want to thank Tony on behalf of the whole team to have the courage to back us and trust us.” Mike Gascoyne
  

Moving on to Jerez

Testing switches from Valencia to Jerez…

• “We are still in the first week here, and a bit low on parts, so that means if we have a crash we are more in trouble for the next test. So we decided to not do much running today and unfortunately parts didn’t arrive until quite late yesterday – 11 or 12 o’clock – and the mechanics had to work 24 hours a day to get the car ready for this morning.” Timo Glock
  
• “On a normal wet, slippery day at Jerez it felt fine. There were no real vices in the car. We still have to understand a few things with it but now it is shaken down we can start to do a bit of work tomorrow and in the back part of the month we can start to look at lap times.” Mark Webber
  
• “We went deeper into set-up work and understanding the car after what we did in Valencia. We were lucky with the weather because yesterday it was quite bad and the next two days don’t look very good. It was important to get a lot of things done.” Robert Kubica
  

Former Champs Talk

Three champions talk testing…

• “It’s very tough for all of us to understand what is the order of teams. We have four that I think are the major teams, and others that look very interesting such as Sauber, the car is quite quick, and the Renault – there is a question mark how quick it is.” Michael Schumacher
  
• “The team spirit is very good, very special. You feel part of a big team, part of a legendary team, and it’s a nice feeling. I keep enjoying life. The team is very, very friendly with me and I felt at home straightaway.” Fernando Alonso
  
• “We’ve only done one test and there’s such a huge variation with fuel loads so we have absolutely no idea – less of an idea than we had in the past. Some people could be driving with 30 kilos or 10 kilos, others could have 150. So it’s impossible to say.” Lewis Hamilton
  

Quotes Roundup – Week Ending 7th February

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

Testing in Valencia

The first pre-season test got underway…

• “With such narrow front tyres, and the shape of them as well – they’re a lot more curved – you do lose a lot of front grip. That’s what we’ve got to try and get back. That’s the biggest difference out of all the changes we’ve had this year.” Gary Paffett
• “I have a positive feeling. I’ve obviously kept a close eye on the development of the car and the results we got at the end of 2009 – so seeing this car evolve and having the input into it, I was very excited to get in the car today to see what parts we have improved.” Lewis Hamilton
• “It’s difficult to say where we are, the result was a quite good lap time, but with new rules and another team like Red Bull still to come it’s difficult to say where we are. But it was a really good start.” Kamui Kobayashi

More testing thoughts

Who was fast and who was slow…

• “There are no miracles in Formula 1: if you want to be fast you have to work hard for months and months and then you’ll meet your competitors, who have as much capacities and are as motivated as you” Stefano Domenicali
• “I think at the next test we might have more of an understanding when people are running very different fuel loads, and you can get an understanding of the difference of those loads and how much time per 10 kilos it is. Then you can work out who is quick and who isn’t.” Jenson Button
• “We all know how quickly Michael used to do it. We are all optimistic, as I am sure that he is, that there is a lot more to come. He has had one or two sessions but he hasn’t driven a Formula 1 car seriously for three years so it is pretty encouraging.” Ross Brawn on Schumacher

Potential F1 Newcomers

The grid could expand even more…

• “Stefan Grand Prix becomes the first team in F1 history who did send a 40 foot container full of equipment to the race in Bahrain without having entry for 2010 season.” Statement from Stefan GP
• “I had the chance to drive the Ferrari F1 car in Barcelona. It was great, I had fun and it was a very good test, with good lap times, but I think that it will be very difficult to see me driving in Formula 1.” Valentino Rossi… again
• “We’re going to be doing the majority of the Fridays, and being at all the grands prix, sitting in on the briefings, listening over the radio, and just making myself best prepared to hopefully become a race driver.” Paul di Resta, Force India

Quotes Roundup – Week Ending 31st January

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

New Drivers in F1

Race and test seats see some new names…

• “Three years ago when I returned from Europe I couldn’t imagine getting this opportunity again. I know how difficult it is to get into F1. Thank God the results and many other things came together. There are five new teams in F1 with more seats available.” Jose Maria Lopez
• “If you are trying to win a championship, to not allow your principal drivers the Friday session is not something we would contemplate. But it’s something that some other teams are looking at and it’s a great opportunity for Paul.” Martin Whitmarsh on Paul di Resta
• “This opportunity gives me even more positive energy to improve as a driver and achieve my future targets as my ultimate goal will be to become Formula 1 world champion one day.” Valtteri Bottas

Thoughts on Schumacher

Michael and more share some musings…

• “I’m hot. It’s just taking far too long to get going and we can’t wait for next week. I have no issues with the neck. I’ve done the GP2 test and lots of preparation in the winter, lots of check to make sure all is good.” Michael Schumacher
• “think there’s lots of analysis that show the peak of your physical condition is in your 30s. It depends on the sport and Michael is achieving the parameters he was achieving when he was younger, in terms of his training, endurance, stamina and strength. He’s already reaching the parameters he was achieving many years ago.” Ross Brawn
• “We can’t forget we wanted him to be Felipe Massa’s replacement last season. He will be one of our rivals, just like Mercedes, and Rosberg, McLaren, with two great drivers, and Red Bull. The title will be fought between ourselves and another three teams.” Stefano Domenicali

Testing Begins Soon

The teams start to ready their new cars…

• “Nico will start with the car. What we want to try and do is give both drivers a drive on the first day. The first day is about checking the car and inspecting all the pieces – and there will be several strip downs of critical parts.” Ross Brawn
• “Bahrain is a test, it’s not a first race for us. The cars are very advanced, we have a driver under contract and our intention is to be in Bahrain for the first race.” Daniel Eisen, Campos Meta
• “It is a very tight programme for everybody with the new car. We’ve only got four tests and we need to make the maximum amount of time prior to the first test. The performance of the car is the most important thing for all of us.” Ross Brawn

Quotes Roundup – Week Ending 24th January

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

Button Talks Shop

Jenson Button gets settled in to his new team…

• “There are 70 per cent of athletes or sportsmen that win a world championship, they don’t succeed the following year. I have to try and be positive and think about the 30 per cent that did and work out why they won again. That is something that we never think about going into a season.” Jenson Button
• “I have been working very, very hard all winter on many, many things to do with fitness, mental attitude – and on January 1, I started working on being a McLaren driver. It means a lot to me because my first drive in an F1 car was in a McLaren young driver test after winning the McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award in 1999.” Jenson Button
• “They came to me and said that the tyres were on the limit of being illegal. They were still legal, but they were on the limit. So they took it away and they put new tyres on it for me. It was like going to the Kwik-Fit. How good’s that? Fantastic. And they did a great job with it.” Jenson Button on a visit to the McLaren factory

The Ex-Factor

Ex-F1 drivers, both looking to come back and not…

• “I could’ve been there if I wanted to. A team offered me to be there. I just thought I was sick and tired of all of the stuff over there. I just took a decision of starting a new step in my career and a new challenge in coming to NASCAR.” Nelson Piquet Jr
• “Theoretically the decision about drivers can be made right before the first race in Bahrain in March. Common sense tells us though that it makes sense to have your line-up ready before you go testing, which will be at the beginning of February or mid-February depending on the teams.” Christian Klien
• “I have always been interested in competing in the WRC and, at one point in my career, I’ve been offered this great opportunity by Red Bull. So, why not take it? The doors to F1 are still open.” Kimi Raikkonen

Determined Drivers

They’re starting to focus on the 2010 season…

• “I would not be here if I did not think I still had what it takes. I have a huge amount of motivation. I am a hard worker and I think that is the most important thing at this level…to still have the motivation and hunger to attack, and to work everyday as if it was the last day. So yes, I have what it takes.” Pedro de la Rosa
• “It is funny how things in life go. I could have said after five years of F1 this is a difficult one and I don’t know if I want to do this, but after such a long time I am still very hungry. The dream to become world champion is closer than ever.” Rubens Barrichello
• “It was a perfect way to optimise my form here in Barcelona. I’m really happy that I had this new opportunity to get behind the wheel of a Formula 1 single-seater on a race track. I can’t wait to sit in the new car and get stuck in.” Felipe Massa

Quotes Roundup – Week Ending 17th January

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

Preparing to Test

The teams are starting to get ready for pre-season testing…

• “We have been given special dispensation to have six straight line/full-scale tunnel days, rather than the four to which all the other teams are limited. It is an example of how the FIA and the teams have gone out of their way to make us feel welcome.” Peter Windsor
• “I think there is no other sport in the world where you test for seven days before the championship. I cannot imagine a tennis player testing seven times before Roland Garros, or a football player training seven days before a world cup, so this is something strange in our sport.” Fernando Alonso
• “All of the cars on the grid have had incredible reliability over the last few years – on the first day of running with the RB5 we did 90 laps. We’ve got high expectations in terms of track time with RB6 so we feel that it’s a plan that suits us and it’s one that we plan to execute.” Christian Horner on skipping the first test

Bernie Ecclestone’s Opinions

The FOM chief has been sharing his thoughts again…

• “Obviously when you speak to these people they say everything’s fine and there’s no drama. But I’m sure there is drama. I honestly believe that one or two of these new teams that are now coming in will be much better off running one car which is supplied by any of the other teams” Bernie Ecclestone
• “My idea was to make a much bigger gap between first and second, and maybe second and third. What I was trying to do was give people the incentive to overtake, not to sit there getting points.” Bernie Ecclestone
• “The other thing I’ve been pushing like crazy with people is that brakes these days are so efficient that – I’ll say this and it’s probably wrong – I could brake as late as anyone else if I saw the braking markers” Bernie Ecclestone

Talking Silverstone

The legacy that Donington has left behind…

• “Donington is a fabulous circuit and I think it’s such a tragedy frankly that it’s been buggered up so much. I’m afraid Simon Gillett’s done that circuit no favours whatsoever. An awful lot of promises, very few of which ever came to anything.” Jonathan Palmer
• “We are building the new Arena circuit. It has gone into the FIA for [F1] homologation so we should be able to run FIM MotoGP and F1 on it. The issue really for 2010, is whether we can do that logistically. So we have issues with maybe Paddock Club, and Paddock Club parking and things like that to resolve.” Richard Phillips, managing director of Silverstone
• “The facilities at Silverstone are already better than a lot of other grand prix circuits. We were at Barcelona for Formula 2 and the paddock area and buildings were far shabbier than Silverstone is now. Silverstone has worked really hard in the last year or two to smarten that place up and I think they’ve done a good job.” Jonathan Palmer

Quotes Roundup – Week Ending 10th January

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

Renault Make Some Changes

Eric Boullier takes over the helm at Renault…

• “Renault is one of the most famous and successful names in motorsport and I look forward to leading the team into the new season. In the past Renault has demonstrated that it is one of the top teams in Formula One and I am sure that with hard work and determination we can challenge at the front once again.” Eric Boullier
• “…it might be a Gravity driver or not, but I can guarantee that it will be even more difficult for a Gravity driver to be selected as they really will have to prove their worth to be chosen as Renault’s second driver.” Eric Boullier
• “There is a great value here that we need not to forget – and it would be stupid of me with no previous F1 experience to shake up everyone here. The team is very competent – they just need to be a little bit reassured and get more confidence for the future.” Eric Boullier

Drivers in New Teams

It’s all change on the grid for 2010…

• “Already at Renault, I drove the car, especially at the end of the season, very well. But, I think I have learned things that I have brought to this team and I can use in the future. And I can bring better results.” Heikki Kovalainen
• “All I can say is that I’m excited about working with Lewis, because that is exactly what we are going to have to do to be competitive this year. Really it makes my life a lot easier because I’m in a much more relaxed position than people telling me that I was going to destroy my team-mate.” Jenson Button
• “There were no doubts, really, but it was very important we understood who were in the key roles in the team and of course also the budget – it is fundamental you have that for the updates to the car.” Daniele Morelli, Kubica’s manager

Briatore Gets His Verdict

The Flavio Briatore saga continues…

• “It was a case of vengeance from Mosley, who has always managed the FIA and the World Council as if it was private property. He had reassured me, telling me they understood I didn’t have anything to do with that story. Then came that verdict. It was an ignoble thing after 18 years of F1.” Flavio Briatore
• “…in any case the FIA can easily change its rules so that it takes account of what the court said. They said we weren’t allowed to ban non-licence holders. Well obviously you can bring in a rule which does allow you to, if you wish. One thing’s for sure, it’s very far from over.” Max Mosley
• “There’s no reason he can’t carry on as a manager if he wants. I didn’t want to see him go in the first place, but it would be difficult for someone who has done something wrong to return in his old job or something similar.” Bernie Ecclestone

Quotes Roundup – Week Ending 27th December

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

Schumacher’s Big Comeback

Michael Schumacher joins Mercedes for 2010…

• “Michael and I kept very close over the years and I saw from his disappointment over the summer, when he couldn’t drive a Ferrari, how much passion he still has for the sport. We’re incredibly excited now about the prospect of Michael being part of the team.” Ross Brawn
  
• “I never left the race track. I was tired of F1 by the end of 2006, but in three years of absence I got back all the energy that I am feeling right now. I played around with motorbikes and I feel ready for some serious stuff now.” Michael Schumacher
  
• “It is fantastic that Michael is returning to Formula 1 and will be my team-mate at Mercedes GP. It’s a great challenge for me to be up against one of the best drivers of all time. I’m sure that we will form a very strong partnership as he will have lost none of his speed. It is also great news for our sport and the fans.” Nico Rosberg
  

Ecclestone Picks His Favourite

Bernie sets his sights on a new champion…

• “There are several – Hamilton, Alonso… But I will say this now: Vettel will be the next world champion.” Bernie Ecclestone
  
• “His return is good for F1. Now this is obviously the main point of conversation, and the entire world is talking about it. But I think that once the engines start again and the season begins, there will certainly be more important things to focus on.” Sebastian Vettel on Schumacher
  
• “Don’t forget, next year we have four current or former world champions in the shape of Alonso, Hamilton, Button and Schumacher on the starting line. I can’t remember the last time that happened.” Bernie Ecclestone
  

New Team Updates

Confirmed and potential teams talk of the future…

• “A number of people have asked me why we’ve been relatively quiet over the past six months or so. My answer is twofold – one, while the F1 politics were sorting themselves out there was very little that we could do or say. We’re all in the entertainment business we call F1 and there seemed little or no point in adding to the situation from the perspective of a new team.” Peter Windsor
  
• “We have suffered from changes to the FIA rules since we became part of Formula 1, but despite difficulties we have never considered the option of giving up on the championship. Our project is solid as it has always been and we confirm we will be in Bahrain in March and of course Abu Dhabi in November.” Statement from Campos
  
• “We will offer teams, who are changing drivers during the season, or even young drivers themselves, the chance to test our car so they can gain experience. It will be purely a commercial operation.” Zoran Stefanovich, Stefan GP
  

Quotes Roundup – Week Ending 20th December

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

Virgin Announcement

A pre-launch launch from Virgin…

• “It feels great to be here, it’s a dream come true for me after two years of being a test driver, and from that and from GP2 I feel I’m ready and am very confident in this team. We’re here to race, not to do politics or mess around, we’re here to race.” Lucas di Grassi
  
• “”I have 20 years’ experience working with drivers. I have been privileged to work with some fantastic drivers in that time and I hope that’s helped in giving me an eye for a good driver. The four drivers we have here are the four we wanted in our line-up, they’re the perfect drivers.” John Booth, Sporting Director
  
• “I am immensely proud to be part of a team that isn’t simply ‘making it to the grid’, but which has surpassed even our wildest expectations – technically, in our racing operation and also commercially.” Nick Wirth
  

Genii Capital Buy Into Renault

Renault find a way to stay in the sport…

• “Altogether, we look forward to competing again at the highest level in Formula 1. Today’s announcement also confirms Renault’s commitment and trust in the sport’s governing bodies to improve the green credentials of Formula 1.” Bernard Rey
  
• “Together with Renault, we intend to run the team with the same values as any of our other investments, prioritising ambitious performance targets without neglecting cost efficiency. We strongly believe that on-track performance can be compatible with business performance, and we will use all our entrepreneurial spirit and commercial know-how to achieve this goal.” Eric Lux
  
• “We would like to know about Genii Capital and who is doing what in the team – a partner can be a sleeping partner or a controlling partner. The cards have changed in respect of when we signed and it’s important Renault give us full information.” Daniele Morelli
  

Briatore vs. Mosley

The pair hit the headlines once more…

• “It is difficult to ascertain whether Mr Mosley is just losing his temper while waiting the decision to be issued by the French courts or if, after having lost his position as a key person in Motor Racing, he is just eager to regain media coverage by making provocative attacks against myself, amongst others.” Flavio Briatore
  
• “Briatore should be the last person to complain that the FIA has not treated him fairly. The FIA has repeatedly given him the benefit of the doubt.” Max Mosley
  
• “Once the FIA had a sworn statement from Nelson Piquet Jr confirming that he was ordered to crash, a full professional inquiry conducted by outside lawyers was inevitable. That inquiry, like Renault’s own investigation, established Briatore’s responsibility beyond question. The suggestion that all this was somehow manufactured for reasons of personal vengeance is a desperate and unsustainable argument.” Max Mosley
  

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