16-Feb-09: ING Confirm Sponsorship Withdrawal in 2010

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It’s the 16th February 2009, and this is F1 Minute.

It was speculated previously, but ING have confirmed that they will be withdrawing complete F1 sponsorship at the end of this year. Last month, they announced 7,000 job cuts in an attempt to save money, and from next year they will no longer be the title sponsor at Renault, or several of the races on the calendar. Flavio Briatore has said that they were aware the current economic problems would have some effect on their sponsor, but thanks ING for being “an enthusiastic and supportive partner.” He believes Renault have a solid future in Formula 1, mostly thanks to the current and future cost cutting measures.

Elsewhere today, the testing continues in Bahrain, with Christian Klien fastest for BMW. Raikkonen was second in the Ferrari, with Trulli last for Toyota, despite covering more than double race distance. All three teams comment on how productive a day they have had, but compared to last week, I’m sure any running is good progress.

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

BMW Sauber F1 Team – Test in Bahrain – Week two/Day one

Weather conditions: Sunny all day.
Temperature: Air: 20 – 28 °C, Track: 22 – 35 °C
Number of drivers participating: 3 from 3 teams
Fastest lap overall: Christian Klien (BMW Sauber F1 Team) 1:32.544 min
Circuit length: 5.412 km

Christian Klien
Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.09-02 / BMW 86/9
Test kilometres today: 709 (131 laps)
Fastest lap: 1:32.544 min

Programme:
On the first of this week’s four days of testing in Bahrain the BMW Sauber F1.09 completed a total of 709 kms (131 laps). In perfect weather conditions Christian Klien worked on the mechanical and aero set-up of the car, as well as trying different tyre compounds. He concluded today’s session by doing several start simulations.

“Today was a very productive day”, Klien said. “We collected a lot of data and I even did a long run at the end of the session. Again we didn’t have a single technical problem, which is very encouraging.”

What comes next:
The BMW Sauber F1 Team will continue testing in Bahrain for three more days. From tomorrow Nick Heidfeld will take over driving duties.

BMW Sauber F1 Team – Test in Bahrain – Day four

Weather conditions: Some fog early in the morning, sunny for the rest of the day.
Temperature: Air: 16 – 21 °C, Track: 21 – 29 °C
Number of drivers participating: 3 from 3 teams
Fastest lap overall: Kimi Raikkönen (Scuderia Ferrari) 1:33.325 min
Circuit length: 5.412 km

Christian Klien
Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.09-02 / BMW 86/9
Test kilometres today: 677 (125 laps)
Fastest lap: 1:33.666 min

Programme:
Finally with perfect weather, the BMW Sauber F1 Team resumed its test programme on the last day of this week’s running. Christian Klien concentrated on set-up work and tried different tyre compounds. With the car running for 125 laps (677 kms), the engineers were able to collect a lot of data on the car’s behaviour in warm weather conditions.

“In the morning the track was still slightly wet as a result of being cleaned after yesterday’s sandstorm. Because of this it took some time to build up a proper grip level. That gave me the opportunity to get used to the BMW Sauber F1.09, which I drove for the very first time”, Klien said. “In the afternoon the track conditions were much better and we were able to go ahead with our test programme as scheduled.”

What comes next:
The BMW Sauber F1 Team stays in Bahrain where four more days of testing are scheduled for next week. On Monday Christian Klien will be at the wheel of the BMW Sauber F1.09, from Tuesday to Thursday Nick Heidfeld will take over testing duties.

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.

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.

BMW Sauber F1 Team – Test in Jerez – Day three

Weather conditions: Very cold in the morning, sunny all day.
Temperature: Air: 6 – 15 °C, Track: 5 – 22 °C
Number of drivers participating: 10 from 6 teams
Fastest lap overall: Sébastien Buemi (Scuderia Toro Rosso) 1:17.258 min
Circuit length: 4.428 km

Robert Kubica
Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.08B-06 / BMW 86/9
Test kilometres today: 594 km (134 laps)
Fastest lap: 1:19.559 min

Christian Klien
Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.08B-03 / BMW 86/9
Test kilometres today: 448 km (101 laps)
Fastest lap: 1:19.738 min

Programme:
Running interim cars – 2008 chassis and engine configuration with some body work complying with the 2009 regulations – the BMW Sauber F1 Team today continued its development work in preparation for next season. After sitting out the chilly early morning, when temperatures of around five degrees Celsius made any meaningful testing impossible, Robert Kubica and Christian Klien worked on the mechanical set-up of the F1.08B. Both drivers also did tyre evaluations for the different compounds of the 2009 slicks.

“I could do a lot of laps today and covered nearly 600 kms, which was very good. Our main goal at this stage is to understand what we can do with the set-up options for next year’s car,” said Kubica.

What comes next:
There is only a short break over the weekend before the BMW Sauber F1 Team starts testing again in Jerez. Another three days session is scheduled to begin on Monday.

BMW Sauber F1 Team – Test in Jerez – Day one

Weather conditions: Heavy fog in the morning, some rain in the afternoon.
Temperature: Air: 9 – 16 °C, Track: 11 – 15 °C
Number of drivers participating: 9 from 6 teams
Fastest lap overall: Sébastien Buemi (Scuderia Toro Rosso) 1:18.742 min
Circuit length: 4.428 km

Nick Heidfeld
Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.08B-03 / BMW 86/9
Test kilometres today: 217 km (49 laps)
Fastest lap: 1:20.678 min

Christian Klien
Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.08B-06 / BMW 86/9 KERS
Test kilometres today: 67 km (15 laps)
Fastest lap: 1:22.098 min

Programme:
Due to heavy fog early in the morning, the BMW Sauber F1 Team did not start today’s testing until around 11.00 hrs. Nick Heidfeld and Christian Klien ran two F1.08B interim cars featuring a modified 2008 chassis with some of the bodywork complying to the 2009 regulations. Only Klien’s car was fitted with BMW’s own KERS device. His test schedule was curtailed by a precautionary engine change. The Austrian stopped off track when sensors indicated a mechanical problem.

Heidfeld today concentrated on setup work with the suspension as well as the new aero package. Although the session came to a premature end when it started to rain at around 15.00 hrs, he collected valuable data with the F1.08B running on 2009 slick tyres. “Based on the results of the last test in Barcelona we changed the mechanical setup of the car,” Heidfeld said. “It looks like we are moving in the right direction.”

What comes next:
The BMW Sauber F1 Team will continue testing in Jerez for two more days. Tomorrow Nick Heidfeld will again be at the wheel of the BMW Sauber F1.08B, along with Robert Kubica. On Thursday Robert Kubica and Christian Klien will be on duty.

BMW Sports Trophy 2008

The BMW Motorsport squad of Formula One drivers (Robert Kubica, Nick Heidfeld and Christian Klien), FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) works drivers and the junior racers from Formula BMW were joined by over 500 guests at the Postpalast venue in central Munich on Saturday evening for the end-of-year party and Sports Trophy presentation.

As BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen explained: “This event gives us the opportunity to thank our partners, drivers and associates for their commitment during the 2008 season. However, for some of us the season is not yet over; the Formula BMW World Final will take place in Mexico City this coming weekend. Plus, the BMW Sauber F1 Team will have little in the way of a winter break – further testing in Jerez is scheduled for December and preparations for 2009 are already in full swing at the factories.”

Looking back at 2008, Theissen reflected: “We’re proud that we achieved our goals once again in the third year of our Formula One team. We were aiming to record our maiden victory, and we did so with a 1-2. Plus, we collected our first pole position and two fastest race laps. In the WTCC we took six victories, but had to concede the title to our rivals for the first time. And Formula BMW Europe enjoyed a good debut season with its races on the Formula One support programme. However, this evening is traditionally an occasion for honouring those drivers and teams who have competed internationally at a high level of motor racing without works support and have served as crucial ambassadors for the performance capability of our products.”

Record entry list for BMW Sports Trophy; Franz Engstler tops the rankings.

With 141 independent drivers signing up, the entry list for the BMW Sports Trophy was longer in 2008 that at any time in its 40-year history. The previous year, 98 amateur racing drivers applied – also a record at the time. In 2008 the privateers picked up points in more than 20 race series around the world at the wheel of various BMW models. The candidates for the € 250,000 prize fund came from almost 20 different countries.

At the end of the day, it was Franz Engstler (47) who fended off the international field to claim the spoils. The former DTM driver from the Allgäu region of Germany had already won the Sports Trophy in 2005, and amassed his points this year in the WTCC, Asian Touring Car Series, ADAC Procar Series, and in the Nürburgring and Dubai 24-hour races. Engstler lined up in a BMW 320si, BMW 320i and BMW Z4 M Coupé in the various competitions and picked up a cheque for € 30,000 in Munich.

The runner’s-up prize (€ 25,000) went to the Swedish Touring Car Championship winner Richard Göransson. The Swede won the Sports Trophy back in 2004 and finished third last year. Mat Jackson (GB) claimed third place (€ 21,000) this time around, as well as finishing second in the British Touring Car Championship.

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

BMW Sauber F1 Team – Test in Barcelona – Day three

November 17th – 19th 2008
Day three – Wednesday

Weather conditions: Sunny all day.
Temperature: Air: 7 – 18 °C, Track: 9 – 23 °C
Number of drivers participating: 13 of 9 teams
Fastest lap overall: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing) 1:19.295 min
Circuit length: 4.655 km

Nick Heidfeld
Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.08B-03 / BMW 86/9
Test kilometres today: 494 km (106 laps)
Fastest lap: 1:21.592 min

Christian Klien
Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.08B-06 / BMW 86/9 KERS
Test kilometres today: 410 km (88 laps)
Fastest lap: 1:21.534 min

Programme:
Again the BMW Sauber F1 Team concentrated on evaluation work with the F1.08B interim car. Based on a 2008 chassis with some aerodynamic components complying with the 2009 regulations, the two cars ran for 106 and 88 laps respectively. Christian Klien again drove the car equipped with BMW’s own KERS system, working on the setup of the Kinetic Energy Recovery System. Just before the end of the morning session he had a minor off caused by a hydraulic-related problem in the drivetrain. After repairs he was able to resume testing duties following the lunch break.

Nick Heidfeld today was at the wheel of the BMW Sauber F1.08B without KERS, working on reliability as well as trying different solutions for the mechanical and aerodynamic setup with the 2009 season in mind. While getting used to the slick tyres he also had the chance to collect data on the all-new power-adjustable front wing. “Definitely the slick tyres provide more grip than the 2008 grooved tyres,” Heidfeld said. “On the other hand we have to start from zero by learning how the slick tyres heat up and for how many laps they deliver optimum performance.”

What comes next:
The BMW Sauber F1 Team will continue winter testing in Jerez, where two sessions – December 9th to 11th and 15th to 17th – will conclude the 2008 season.

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