F1 Minute

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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.

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This is F1 Minute for the 23^rd June 2008.

It’s being reported that the FIA may be interested in a new Concorde Agreement but only if Bernie accepts some changes. Apparently the new deal would be in place if Bernie ups the share of F1 revenue given to the teams. For promotional revenues, it could go up from 75 to 92 per cent, and for TV earnings from 50 to 67. It looks like the proposal was submitted to Mr Ecclestone last year, and so far has garnered no response. Within the paddock, however, teams aren’t really in on the deal. Mario Theissen says the new Concorde Agreement isn’t just about money, but of course, they wouldn’t turn it down.

Elsewhere, after the exhaust incident in France this weekend, it looks as though Raikkonen will need an engine change ahead of the British GP, but he won’t receive a penalty. Ferrari will be able to cash in on the one freebie engine rule.

Finally, the San Marino Grand Prix has been missing off the calendar for a couple of years now, but the Imola circuit has received certification from the FIA so they can now host F1 tests.

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

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Welcome to F1 Minute, it’s the 19^th June.

Nick Heidfeld has said that he still thinks he needs more practice when it comes to getting the best out of his tyres in qualifying. So far this year, Kubica has got the better of him on Saturdays, and Heidfeld took the opportunity of an extra days test in Barcelona last week. However, he says it wasn’t just a matter of changing one thing, but it’s a gradual process.

There were rumours going around the paddock that the drivers may be on course to strike at the British Grand Prix in response to the price hike of the superlicence. However, most of the drivers are playing down the talk. Alonso and Kubica are both unimpressed with how much their licence will cost, but Kubica says a strike is unlikely. Max Mosley has confirmed he is happy to meet with the GPDA to discuss the matter.

The BMW Pit Lane Park will be turning up in Manchester on the weekend of the British Grand Prix. There will be cars doing donuts, a Pit Stop challenge, and plenty of other F1 related goodness for visitors to experience.

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

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Today is Wednesday, the 28^th May and you’re listening to F1 Minute.

Pat Symonds from Renault has given us a few insights into the problems the team are facing at the moment in this week’s official team podcast. Of the improvements needed to the car, Symonds admitted that they are struggling to decide whether to focus on updating this year’s car, or concentrate on getting a good start for next year. He says the team are small enough that they don’t have the resources to do both. Having said that, there are reports that a significantly updated car will be introduced at the British Grand Prix.

The Honda factory in Brackley has been awarded the ISO14001 certificate, which is an international standard for environmental management. This means that the team have implemented a management system that meets the international standard, and basically makes them a very green team.

Finally today, there are rumours that F1 teams will be testing at Hockenheim in July ahead of the German GP.

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