11-Jan-10: US F1 Given Extra Straight Line Testing Days

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It is the 11th January 2010, and this is F1 Minute.

It’s all about testing today, as US F1 have been given special dispensation from the FIA to run extra tests in the US. They were already given permission to use up some of their testing miles in the States before joining the rest of the teams in Spain, but now they have also been allowed an extra two days of straight line testing, which could also be exchanged for wind tunnel hours instead. The rest of the teams agreed to the bonus days for US F1, with the standard being four days, and US F1 getting six.

Elsewhere, Michael Schumacher will be back on track tomorrow, testing out a GP2 car at Jerez. The test is beneficial for both parties, as Schumi gets some time behind the wheel, even if it isn’t an F1 car, whilst the GP2 organisers are keen to get his feedback and advice.

Quickly to finish, the FIA have confirmed they will appeal the overturn of Briatore’s ban.

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

FIA – Tribunal de Grande Instance

The President of the FIA has consulted the FIA Senate and the FIA’s lawyers about the decision of the Tribunal de Grande Instance de Paris of 5 January. It was unanimously agreed that an appeal would be prepared.

In his election campaign last summer, FIA President Jean Todt and his team announced that new measures for constructive change, including a disciplinary procedure, would be introduced. Work on this is well advanced. Once in place, this will address the issues in the Court’s judgement. Nonetheless, an appeal is merited.

While the appeal is underway, the Word Motor Sport Council’s decision of 21 September 2009 remains in full effect. However, in view of the uncertainty that this may create for drivers who may be affected by this decision, the FIA President and FIA Senate have decided that, pending the outcome of the FIA’s appeal, Superlicences will continue to be issued to qualifying drivers in the usual way.

The FIA President, the FIA Senate, the World Motor Sport Council, and the FIA’s Member Clubs from all countries will take whatever measures are necessary to ensure the continuing integrity and safety of the sport.

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

06-Jan-10: Sauber Confirm Launch Date for New Car

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Today is the 6th January 2010 and this is F1 Minute.

Good news to start with, the ex-BMW team Sauber have confirmed the launch of their 2010 car – it will take place at Valencia on the 31st January, which is the day before the first test of the year. They are the first team to announce a launch date, I hope we’ll hear more from the others now.

Back to the unpleasant Briatore business unfortunately, the Italian has suggested that he will be taking legal action against the Piquet father and son duo, saying “The bad that has been done to me won’t be forgotten in one day.” He also has another go at Max Mosley while he’s at it. Meanwhile, Bernie Ecclestone would be ready to welcome Flav back to the paddock with open arms, saying: “He was a great character in F1 but I am not sure if that’s what he wants to do now. I think he will move on from that. It’s good for him but it is not good for the FIA when you read the verdict.”

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

Flavio Briatore Ban Overturned by Courts

Briatore gets another chance, whilst Renault find his replacement.

This is F1 Minute and it’s the 5th January 2010.

Flavio Briatore’s lifetime ban from F1 has been overthrown by the French courts, after legal action from the Italian against the FIA. He was awarded 15,000 Euros as compensation, with the judge ruling that the ban had been irregular and illegal, although the FIA would like to point out that they didn’t rule it was wrong. The ban wasn’t wrong, just that it wasn’t their domain to hand it out. The FIA are considering their right to appeal. Briatore said: “Let me take a little time to enjoy this moment of happiness after this difficult period. As concerns my possible return to F1, there is plenty of time to talk about this.”

Meanwhile, his ex-position at Renault of team principal has been filled by Eric Boullier, who is linked to the new investors in the team. He has plenty of experience, is relatively young, and replaces Bob Bell, who stays with the team but in the design department.

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

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05-Jan-10: Flavio Briatore Ban Overturned by Courts

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This is F1 Minute and it’s the 5th January 2010.

Flavio Briatore’s lifetime ban from F1 has been overthrown by the French courts, after legal action from the Italian against the FIA. He was awarded 15,000 Euros as compensation, with the judge ruling that the ban had been irregular and illegal, although the FIA would like to point out that they didn’t rule it was wrong. The ban wasn’t wrong, just that it wasn’t their domain to hand it out. The FIA are considering their right to appeal. Briatore said: “Let me take a little time to enjoy this moment of happiness after this difficult period. As concerns my possible return to F1, there is plenty of time to talk about this.” That sounds like a yes to me.

Meanwhile, his ex-position at Renault of team principal has been filled by Eric Boullier, who is linked to the new investors in the team. He has plenty of experience, is relatively young, and replaces Bob Bell, who stays with the team but in the design department.

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

Eric Boullier’s Day Off

Eric Boullier was today officially announced as team principal of the Renault F1 Team. Boullier replaces Bob Bell who held the position temporarily after Flavio Briatore was expelled from Formula 1. Briatore managed to get that ban overturned today in the French courts.

Credit: Drew Gibson/LAT/Renault

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
  

25-Nov-09: Donington Boss Still Believes in British GP

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Welcome to F1 Minute for the 25th November 2009.

Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd, the company who had hoped to host the British GP in 2010 went into administration l ast week, but boss Simon Gillett is still hopeful that everything will work out in the end, if the company is bought out or heavily invested in. He said: “Next year is possible, but it wouldn’t be all of the construction. You’d end up doing pit garages, race control and the bare essentials to get the track up and running for 2010 and there’s still plenty of time for that to happen.” I’m not sure that will appeal to Bernie.

In legal news, Autosport reports that Flavio Briatore’s appeal against his lifetime motorsport ban will not be resolved until next year. The hearing took place yesterday but the results won’t be announced until early January. And N.Technology – one of the new teams who failed to get a place on the grid have had their legal action against the FIA thrown out by the courts, who say the selection procedure was legitimate.

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

Desire For Revenge

Flavio Briatore discusses matters with Pay Symonds during the Grand Prix weekend at the Nurburgring in 2006. This week, information regarding Briatore and Symonds’ case against the FIA has leaked into UK newspapers, and the FIA have condemned whoever is releasing the details. They defend their position, but won’t say much more until the hearing later this month.

Credit: Charles Coates/LAT Photographic

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