Quotes Roundup - Week Ending 23rd Nov

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

Testing out the 2009 Spec

We’re not the only ones who don’t like it…

• “I never saw such a sexy car.” Christian Klien
• “Considering this is Formula One - if people think the introduction of KERS and the reduction in downforce and slicks is going to transform Formula One, then forget it. It will still be a wide car, there will still be aerodynamic effect and offline will stay dirty. It will be easier, but it won’t be MotoGP. And people need to understand that.” Pedro de la Rosa
• “Obviously the set-up is far from ideal, especially on my car as I was focusing mainly on the KERS systems. We’re still having quite a few problems there, but at least we have it in the car.” Nick Heidfeld

The New Boys

We saw some fresh faces in Barcelona, but here’s what they thought…

• “Driving a Formula One car is really, really nice. And I was enjoying myself more and more each lap. Pushing harder and harder makes you find the edge and when the laptime comes from your effort that’s pretty good.” Bruno Senna
• “You can’t compare F1 to rallying, they are so different. It’s not true that rallying is more of a comfort zone, because when I am flat-out on the stages I am concentrating just as hard as I was today.” Sebastien Loeb
• “I only had a big curiosity to know. Well, I’m more and more convinced that with a bit of time I could have become a good F1 driver. It only remains to be seen how good, whether good enough to win or not.” Valentino Rossi

Bernie’s Corner

Three separate stories concerning Mr Ecclestone this week…

• “Given Mr and Mrs Ecclestone were reputed to be worth £2.4bn in the 2008 Rich List, this case may see the highest award to a wife in legal history.” Simon Bethel, family law specialist
• “Everybody understands gold medals and silver and bronze. Nearly all sports are done that way. The whole point will be, when they get to Melbourne for the first race, the guys will want to leave there with a gold medal.” Bernie Ecclestone
• “I think it’s almost certain that there will not be a grand prix in 2010. I always thought the Disney site was the right place for us, the new location that would suit the French Grand Prix. There’s a lot of infrastructure in place, the trains go there, everyone would know it – it was perfect.” Bernie Ecclestone

Honda - Barcelona test report, day three

Following his second day on the main winter testing programme Jenson says it’s nice to be back on slick tyres with reduced downforce, while Bruno Senna completes 107 laps in his full-day evaluation.

Date: Wednesday 19 November
Track: Circuit de Catalunya, Spain
Drivers: Jenson Button / Bruno Senna

No of Laps: 94 laps / 107 laps
Best Lap Time: 01:21.387 / 1:21.676
Kilometres Covered: 936km
Track Length: 4.655km

Total Test Laps: 585 laps
Total Test Kilometres: 2723km

Weather: Cold and sunny
Ambient Temperature: Maximum 18°C
Track Temperature: Maximum 23°C

The Honda Racing F1 Team today concluded the first test of the winter at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona with Jenson Button and Bruno Senna at the wheel of the Honda cars.

On his second day of running, Jenson continued his set-up programme with the modified RA108 running on slick tyres. He worked through a series of aerodynamic and suspension evaluations to provide further feedback for the development of the team’s 2009 car.

On the other side of the garage, Bruno had his opportunity for a full day of running today. His focus during the morning was to establish a good baseline set-up however traffic frustrated his new tyre runs. Bruno continued to work on improving the car in the afternoon completing two further new tyre runs and setting consistent lap times.

The team’s next test will take place at the Circuito de Jerez in Spain from Tuesday 9 to Thursday 11 December.

JENSON BUTTON
“It’s nice to be back in a car that I enjoy driving. Taking a lot of the downforce off and running on slick tyres suits my driving style a lot more than grooved tyres. I’ve had a fun couple of days and it’s been very useful as we have tested many things which should help us with the new car. It’s been a positive start to 2009 already and I’m very pleased. I’ve just got to keep pushing the team hard now to get the improvements that we are hoping to achieve for next year.”

BRUNO SENNA
“Today has been a really good day and I’m very pleased. I’ve become a lot more comfortable and confident in the car and I think that showed in the lap time, both in the actual time and also the consistency. We found some good set-ups and we were able to make a lot of progress through the day. Whether what I did today is good enough is for the team to decide now and I respect that. But for me personally, for my first time in a Formula One car, I have to be happy with what I achieved today. Driving a Formula One car is a very special feeling and it is very easy to know why it is the pinnacle of motorsport. It’s very different to anything else you can drive and I just wanted to go faster and faster. Aside from the hard work and focus here this week I have really enjoyed myself. The Honda team are very professional and I am proud to have spent the time with them during this very special week for me.”

ROSS BRAWN
“The first test of the winter in Barcelona has seen us commence our on-track preparations for 2009, a season which will see the most significant change in Formula One’s technical regulations for many years. We have been running two modified RA108 chassis with an aerodynamic package representative of the downforce levels required for next season.

“We have also conducted an intensive tyre programme with the Bridgestone Potenza slick tyres. Having been sensible in the use of our tyre allocation so far this year, we are in the best possible position to gain information about the new slicks ahead of the launch of our new car. Whilst the temperatures have been quite cool this week, which has affected the behaviour of the tyres, both the team and drivers are happy to see Formula One back on slicks.

“In addition to our main test programme, we took the opportunity to evaluate the emerging talents of Lucas Di Grassi and Bruno Senna. Both drivers spent one and a half days in our car which has enabled the team to assess their performance and level of technical skill. Lucas and Bruno have both performed admirably over the course of the week and their evident enthusiasm and commitment has made them a pleasure to work with. We will now take some time to carefully consider our findings from this test before reaching any further conclusions.”

Honda - Barcelona test report, day one

Honda runs a dual test programme with Test & Reserve Driver Alex Wurz and the two young Brazilians Bruno Senna and Lucas di Grassi.

Date: Monday 17 November
Track: Circuit de Catalunya, Spain
Drivers: Alex Wurz / Lucas Di Grassi / Bruno Senna

No of Laps: 77 laps / 48 laps / 39 laps
Best Lap Time: 01:21.198 / 1:25.512 / 1:24.343
Kilometres Covered: 763.5km
Track Length: 4.655km

Weather: Cold and sunny
Ambient Temperature: Lunchtime 13°C
Track Temperature: Lunchtime 26°C

The Honda Racing F1 Team returned to the test track today just two weeks after the 2008 season finale in Brazil as the Formula One teams travelled to the familiar testing venue of the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona to commence preparations for the 2009 season.

The three-day test will see the Honda team run two programmes. Alex Wurz and Jenson Button will focus on the development of the 2009 car whilst the team also evaluates young Brazilians Lucas Di Grassi and Bruno Senna.

Alex kicked off the main test programme evaluating various aerodynamic components for next season and running the Bridgestone Potenza slick tyres. Jenson will take over the car tomorrow to complete the final two days of the test.

Lucas was the first of the young drivers to complete his half-day familiarisation programme this morning. He went out for an initial run on grooved tyres to acclimatise to the car before the team fitted used slicks for the remainder of the session. After lunch, Bruno took to the track for his first ever drive in a Formula One car. He followed the same programme as Lucas, starting on grooved tyres before moving to used slick tyres midway through the session.

Lucas will complete a full day of running tomorrow with Bruno taking over the car on Wednesday.

ALEX WURZ
“The view from the cockpit is just so much nicer with slick tyres on the car! As a driver, I prefer the driving style with slicks so I am happy that the change has finally come, even if it is too late for me to race with them. My focus for today was on gathering information on the tyres whilst running various 2009 downforce levels. We have come away with good answers and a clear direction so I am pleased with the work that we achieved. It was nice to see the two young guys in action with Honda today. Both understood the car very quickly but how they develop from here with a full day in the car will be important.”

LUCAS DI GRASSI
“My first day in the Honda car has been a good experience. The focus of my half day programme today has been to get the best possible feeling for the car ahead of my full day tomorrow. One of us had to be the first out on track today and that was me, but this morning the track was really very ‘green’ and took a while to improve. I ran with slick tyres for the first time and in a car that is both new to me and which had a combination of 2008 and 2009 aero elements, so it was a totally new experience for me but a very enjoyable one. Today I have been using old tyres, running with low downforce and working through a variety of set-ups. Tomorrow will be a better test of what I am capable of.”

BRUNO SENNA
“The first day of my first Formula One test has been just as big a moment as I expected it to be. I have also had a lot of fun and really enjoyed myself. This morning I focused on doing as much as I could to prepare for my turn. I listened to the team radio and watched and learned how the team works. I was feeling quite calm but on my first lap out of the garage I realised the significance of the moment. This is a very special opportunity and one which has been a dream my whole life. The team were great and left it to me to find my level, but by the end of my second run I was feeling very much at home in the car. There were lots of new sensations as the gearshifts, engine power and aerodynamics compared to a GP2 car were all very different. I need a few adjustments to be fully comfortable in the car for Wednesday but generally I am feeling good. Obviously my full day is when everything will count but I am very pleased with what I achieved today and the more laps I do, the quicker I’ll be hopefully. A great, great day for me and I am incredibly grateful to the Honda team for making it possible.”

Quotes Roundup - Week Ending 16th Nov

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

The Force India / McLaren Partnership

On what that deal means for the team, and the sport…

• “Force India Formula One team has been in existence for only one year, and inevitably our first season has constituted a learning period. But we said at the outset that we meant business and were not interested in merely making up the numbers.” Dr. Vijay Mallya
• “I would love to see a Force India car on the podium in the inaugural Indian grand Prix. Obviously that has to be a core objective as well. Now that is in 2011 and I say why not? I’m sure Martin would love to see a Force India and a McLaren racing each other” Dr. Vijay Mallya
• “We are going to learn lessons by looking over the shoulder of Force India. I believe that we will become stronger as a consequence of this. I would not have gone into this partnership unless I believed it was going to help us to win world championships in the future.” Martin Whitmarsh

Ongoing Circuit News

Canada and China both worry about the future, Singapore doesn’t…

• “We’re doing the assessment. By next year we should be able to give you an answer. We want to create a win-win situation, for our side and for Bernie and the F1 organisers as well. If this is something we can do, and our cooperation is very happy and smooth, we will consider it.” Qiu Weichang, deputy director of the Shanghai Administration of Sports
• “We need to know if we’re going to have a Grand Prix in 2009. We’re trying to find a proposal that will meet with the approval of Bernie Ecclestone and his board of directors. He’s not interested in where the money’s going to come from, he just wants to get the money to which he thinks he’s entitled.” Gerald Tremblay, Montreal Mayor
• “We have received a great many compliments from around the world since the running of the race in September, but this is an award given by our peers, the professionals who work in motor sports. It therefore is especially gratifying to receive this award.” Jonathan Hallett, Singapore GP’s media director

Upcoming Test Drivers

We’re going to see a few new names on the timesheets in Barcelona…

• “Going back to Enstone will be very special for me. I often used to go and train there when I was on the Renault Driver Development programme. So I’ll be seeing people I already know. That will help me to integrate into the team more easily.” Giedo van der Garde
• “To have this opportunity is a dream. Even though I’ve been racing for only four years, it’s as if I’ve waited for ten years to drive an F1 car. I’ve worked hard in preparing for it, on the neck particularly. GP2 in any case is a good basis.” Bruno Senna
• “I don’t expect Barcelona to be easy at all: it’s the first time that I will be testing against the regular drivers in Formula One, so that’s obviously going to be interesting!” Sebastien Loeb

11-Nov-08: Toro Rosso Set Up Driver Shoot Out

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Today is the 11th November and this is F1 Minute.

Toro Rosso have confirmed who they’ll be running at the test in Barcelona next week. With just two seats available and a raft of drivers interested in having a go, just three will get a chance at the Circuit de Catalunya. Sebastien Buemi is scheduled to drive for all three days at the test, with Takuma Sato getting a chance for a day and a half, and Bourdais getting the other day and a half. It seems pretty tightly organised, and I hope it goes to plan. It’s been ages since we saw a good shoot out for a race seat. Apparently Bruno Senna is still in the running, despite having a go in the Honda, and Autosport.com is reporting that Barrichello was also in discussions with the team, but needs to bring some sponsorship money with him.

Elsewhere, David Coulthard has raised doubts about Hamilton’s pledge of commitment to McLaren. Lewis said he wants to see his career out at the team, but DC says if McLaren become uncompetitive, he doubts that will remain the case.

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

Honda to Give Bruno Senna his First Formula One Test

The Honda Racing F1 Team will give 2008 GP2 Series title contender Bruno Senna his first experience of a Formula One car in Barcelona later this month. Bruno will attend the team’s first winter test at the Circuit de Catalunya from Monday 17 to Wednesday 19 November where he will drive the Honda RA108 to enable the team to assess how Bruno has developed in his career to date.

The programme for Bruno will include an initial familiarisation with the car and its systems before progressing to a full programme during which the team will be evaluating his performance, technical skill and ability to work with a large team organisation.

Bruno, 25, has impressed in the British F3 Championship and GP2 since his first full season in junior motorsport formulae in 2005. He won two GP2 races in 2008 and finished second in the Series.

Ross Brawn, Team Principal of the Honda Racing F1 Team, said: “We are delighted to provide Bruno with the opportunity to test for us later this month as we continue to explore all the driver options available to us for next season. After an impressive year in GP2 this will be a chance for Bruno to prove that he is ready to make the step up to Formula One. Our objective is to have the best drivers available to us next season and our evaluation of Bruno’s performance will be rigorous. We are looking forward to seeing how he performs. Over the next two weeks Bruno will be spending a lot of time with us at our Brackley base, working closely with our engineers and on the simulator to ensure he is fully prepared for this important test.”

Bruno Senna said: “I am obviously very excited about being given my first Formula One test and to have that opportunity with Honda is a dream come true. Although I am still only in my fourth year of motor racing, I have wanted to test an F1 car for a very long time and I feel that I am ready for that challenge. I have already spent some time at the factory in Brackley and have enjoyed meeting the team and working with the engineers to prepare for this test. Everyone has been very supportive and it is particularly special for me to have the chance to work with Ross Brawn. I’m excited about getting in the car in two weeks’ time but I know this is a big opportunity so I want to learn as much as I can before I get to Barcelona. I hope to show the team what I can do, so it’s up to me now to do a good job.”

03-Nov-08: Contract Extensions, Launch Dates, and Testing News

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You’re listening to F1 Minute and it’s the 3rd November 2008.

Here are some of the news stories we might have missed this weekend.

Firstly, after such an amazing race, the good news is Interlagos has had it’s F1 contract extended, and will now feature on the calendar until 2014.

Toyota have confirmed that they intend to launch their KERS package in the middle of 2009, and not from the outset. Team President John Howett said they are working flat out on the device, but people “underestimate some of the major challenges.” Toyota announced the launch of their car a while ago, and now BMW have become the second team to confirm a launch date. Their 2009 car will be unveiled in Valencia on January 20th.

And finally, in testing news, Bruno Senna will have a go in the Honda in the hopes of a race seat for next year at the Barcelona test this month. Also, Red Bull will be testing with five-times world rally champ Sebastien Loeb, proving that the Red Bull empire really does have a thing for drivers called Sebastien.

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