16-Oct-08: Stewarding Process to be Discussed
Today is the 16th October 2008 and you’re listening to F1 Minute.
The stewarding process has come in to sharp focus this week, as drivers come to terms with what happened in Fuji. Heidfeld has offered the opinion that he would like a return to last season’s system, where there was a permanent steward who travelled to all races. He felt the penalties dished out were at least more consistent, even if they weren’t any less harsh.
Other drivers, including Trulli, Button, and Alonso, have said they’d like an ex-driver to join the stewarding team, as they believe he would have a much better idea of what is really going on out on track. The problem is likely to be discussed at the Friday drivers briefing in Shanghai.
Another item on the agenda is some of Hamilton’s recent driving. Webber has said that he wants to talk about the matter of moving around in the braking area, in his capacity as director of the GPDA. Trulli also wants to discuss being held up by Hamilton not adhering to blue flags in Fuji. And they say they’re not ganging up on him.
That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
20-Feb-08: Wet Weather Conditions See Massa Fastest
I’m Christine, this is F1 Minute and it’s the 20th February.
Barcelona took the brunt of the wet weather today, with Felipe Massa topping the timesheets just ahead of Mark Webber in the Red Bull. Massa was also the cause of a red flag, spinning off in the morning, along with Timo Glock in the afternoon. McLaren were due to run but decided not to use up any of their limited testing miles in the wet weather.
Over in Valencia, BMW had improved conditions. The track was wet in the morning, but dried up in the afternoon. They carried out a full race simulation, and overall Kubica was slightly faster than Heidfeld.
In other news, the Fuji circuit have announced plans to improve customer satisfaction after complaints in 2007. Transport to and from the circuit is set for an overhaul, whilst fans should benefit from better viewing screens, more accessible walkways, and an increased number of staff.
Two very quick snippets to finish, Trulli has changed his mind and decided Toyota are capable of challenging the top cars next year, whilst Rosberg says his goal is simply to be better than in 2007.
That’s all for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
03-Jan-08: Wet Weather Fears Raised With FIA
This is F1 Minute and it is the 3rd January 2008.
With the banning of electronic controls for 2008, drivers have fallen on either side of the safety coin. Some think the racing will be better for it, others are wary of possible accident increases. Today, it appears that the FIA have been approached by drivers to open talks about the wet weather procedures, how to decide when it is too dangerous to drive.
David Coulthard, who tends to always be at the forefront of safety campaigns, has mentioned the fact that drivers were aquaplaning off track at Fuji this year, with traction control on board, so the possibilities for what could happen without are enormous. Felipe Massa and Jenson Button have joined in with comments, but Max Mosley is playing down the driver’s fears saying that you may be more likely to go off track, but injury will be less likely due to lower speeds.
Also in the news today, Ross Brawn is in the process of deciding what his position will be for Honda with regards to being trackside and making strategy decisions, saying he doesn’t want to get involved unless he has to.
That’s all for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
19-Nov-07: Toyota Confirm Timo Glock as New Driver
Welcome to a brand new week of F1 Minute. These are your headlines for today, 19th November 2007.
Toyota were expected to confirm Timo Glock as their Ralf replacement at Fuji this weekend, but the announcement was made today. Glock won the GP2 series this year, and said he is looking forward to working with the team. Toyota have said that Glock’s deal covers multiple years and they hope to arrange for his early exit from BMW.
Christian Klien was one of the many drivers testing for Force India last week, in the hopes of securing a drive with the new team for 2008. Klien said he was impressed with the car and the team, and they obviously thought the same of him, as he has been invited to join them again in Jerez in December.
And finally, Flavio Briatore has been talking about their drivers for next year. The rumours are out that Fisichella has already hung up his Renault boots, and Briatore’s words have caused speculation about Kovalainen’s future as well. The team boss also said that he is 60% confident they can get Alonso back to Renault, but that an announcement either way would be made soon.
That’s all for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
15-Oct-07: Toro Rosso Appeal Rejected
Welcome to a new week of F1 Minute, I’m Christine and these are your headlines for today 15th October 2007.
The FIA announced on Saturday that they have rejected Toro Rosso’s appeal against Liuzzi’s Fuji Penalty. The team were hoping to have the 25 second penalty revoked and get back the point that was granted to Spyker’s Adrian Sutil, but they have now accepted the outcome of the appeal.
The battle continues to rage between Jackie Stewart and Max Mosley, with the former champion rallying for the FIA President’s resignation. Mosley is adamant that he stands behind everything he has said and everything the FIA has done this year, and even goes so far as to suggest that Stewarts complaints may have something to do with publicising his new autobiography.
Renault boss Flavio Briatore is confident that Renault will bounce back from their bad form this year and start winning races again in 2008. No doubt he is still trying to entice Fernando Alonso back to the championship winning team, as Briatore continues not to announce the driver line up for the next season.
That’s all for today, join me again tomorrow for another F1 minute.