F1 Minute

Listen to this episode

This is F1 Minute and it’s the 30^th June 2008.

David Coulthard is usually pretty quiet on the subject of his future, which never stops the silly season rumours from flying without abandon. However, today he’s spoken out a little about his future. What he actually says is that he doesn’t know what the future holds, and whilst he would love to keep driving, he knows that it’s very possible the coming race could be his very last British GP. He says there are worse things in life than not having a drive and when the time comes he will move on gracefully.

The BMW boys have differing opinions on how they will fare at this weekend’s race, with Heidfeld confident that the improvements from the recent test will help them get back to form. Kubica, meanwhile, says that their dismal French GP performance will hopefully kick everyone into a new gear, and that Silverstone needs to be a turning point for the team.

And finally, the boss of the Paul Ricard test track, Phillippe Gurdijan has retired and will concentrate on his new project – helping the Abu Dhabi circuit organisers.

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

Listen to this episode

Hi everyone, this is F1 Minute and today is the 26^th June 2008.

Lewis Hamilton topped the timesheets on the last day of testing at Silverstone, ahead of Glock for Toyota, and then Raikkonen in the Ferrari. Glock actually had an incident with Coulthard with the pair colliding at the end of Hangar Straight. Glock apologised for the contact, and thanked his mechanics for working hard and getting the car out again. Alonso caused a red flag with apparent engine trouble, as did Coulthard later in the day for the same reason.

Elsewhere today, BMW have announced they will be restructuring their technical department and reducing the workload of current Technical Director Willy Rampf. He will become Technical Coordinator from November this year, meaning he will still lead the overall concept of the car.

Finally, organisers of the Abu Dhabi GP are said to be super happy with their provisional placement on the calendar, not just because they will host the potential championship decider, but also because it means the weather will be good.

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

Listen to this episode

Welcome to F1 Minute, it’s the 25^th June.

Kovalainen was fastest on Day 2 of the test in Silverstone, with Trulli and Rosberg behind him, and Massa all the way down in 7^th. There were several red flags today, one of which caused by Fisichella, who crashed after being caught in a gust of wind. He was taken to the medical centre and then a nearby hospital for checks on his wrist. He is okay, though.

Elsewhere, the FIA have been busy, with the World Council meeting in France. Firstly, they released a statement officially announcing they would review how F1 is governed. They also promoted their new feeder series for F1 called Formula 2, and they decided that they’d only raise the entry fee costs to F1 for teams by the rate of inflation.

Finally, they released a provision calendar for 2009, which sees the races starting and ending much later in the year, France is included, whilst the US is not, and the season closer will be in Abu Dhabi, the only new addition. Notably Turkey has been returned to its slot further down the calendar.

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

Listen to this episode

This is F1 Minute for the 10^th April 2008.

The news is all about speculation today, starting with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2009. Autosport is reporting that organisers have been told the event will take place in October, and they have drafted in an experienced track builder to make sure the circuit is finished on time. There is no word as yet  if the Abu Dhabi race will be the season finale though.

Also today, Indianapolis Motor Speedway boss Joie Chitwood has said that F1 needs to return to the US and it should come back to his track. He admitted that the circuit has made sure that all the hurdles have been cleared so that Bernie Ecclestone should have no problem with reintroducing the US Grand Prix to the calendar.

The latest Technical Working Group will focus on the new KERS system and the weight increase it puts on the car. Top bods from each team will meet in order to discuss the alteration of weight limitations in the rules.

Finally, apologies for the short notice but F1 Minute needs to take a short hiatus. I will be back with another show as soon as possible.

Listen to this episode

Today is the 26^th March and this is F1 Minute.

In a complex story involving land ownership and bad management communication, former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan has blocked off the access road to the Force India factory with some strategically placed concrete blocks. Jordan owns the land and is in dispute talks over the team buying it. He says: “I’ve got no problem with Mallya. It’s the people who are managing the business who don’t want to talk.”

Bosses of the Qatar MotoGP circuit have confirmed that they will be making some revisions to the track in the hopes of securing some F1 interest. Despite Bahrain and Abu Dhabi already secured on the calendar, the hopes are that the circuit can at least be used for F1 testing to bring attention and revenue to the country.

Jean Todt has said he will do everything he can to help replacement Ferrari chief Stefano Domenicali adapt and settle in to his new job. Todt says: “It would be presumptuous to say advice. To have somebody you trust and like, and share emotions and doubts and problems with is a help.”

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