You’re listening to F1 Minute for the 21st July 2008.
Following his heavy crash at Hockenheim, yesterday, Timo Glock stayed in hospital overnight for observation but was released today. He is fine, and returns now to rest up ahead of the test at Jerez this week. Toyota general manager Pascal Vasselon has spoken to Timo: “We have already talked to him on the phone. It may not be possible, but he is already thinking that he wants to drive in the test at Jerez. So he is fine.” At the moment, the cause of the crash is still unknown.
Also, following the race yesterday, the stewards announced that Fisichella had been given a 25 second penalty, due to unlapping himself from behind the safety car when he technically wasn’t allowed to. This puts the Force India down from 14th place to 16th.
Finally, after back to back wins from Hamilton, ex-champion Niki Lauda has spoken out, and changed his mind about the Brit: “It was a great race from him in Germany and if If he continues like this, he will be unbeatable.”
That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
Having led all but one of the session this weekend, it’s no surprise that Hamilton took a dominant win at Hockenheim today. It wasn’t all plain sailing, though, as a safety car brought out by Glock put a bit of a spanner in the works. The Toyota spun on the exit of the last corner and crashed into a concrete wall backwards. Glock climbed out of the car, and was taken to the medical centre and then on to hospital. He appears to be okay, but there’s no official word just yet.
The safety car reduced Hamilton’s lead to nothing, and McLaren decided not to pit the race leader until after the safety car had gone. That meant Hamilton’s final scheduled stop saw him return behind his teammate, Massa, and Piquet. The Renault had been one stopping, and came in just before the safety car appeared. A nice bit of luck and some strong driving from the rookie.
Hamilton made short work of Kovalainen, Massa almost handed the place to the McLaren, and Piquet couldn’t put up much of a fight. A great race, and a fascinating podium. The championship remains the same as post-Silverstone, although the points are more spread out now.
That’s all for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
McLaren continued their domination in Germany today, with Kovalainen posting the fastest time in Free Practice 3.It was a close one, with Massa just seven hundredths of a second behind and Hamilton back in third. Sutil had a bit of an incident, sliding into the gravel, although he did manage to save it.
Having led all three Free Practice sessions, it was hardly surprising to see a McLaren on pole, this time Hamilton getting the better of the rest of the field. Massa came a close second, with Kovalainen behind. Notably, the next pair of Trulli and Alonso were a surprise, especially as Raikkonen could only struggle into sixth.
Elsewhere today, Formula 1 teams have given the Singapore circuit the go ahead after a successful lighting test took place last week. Eight of the ten teams were represented at the inspection, no McLaren or Ferrari, and apparently all previous fears about the lighting for the night race have now been put to rest.
That’s all for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
Today is the 18th July 2008 and this is F1 Minute.
Lewis Hamilton topped both Free Practice sessions in Hockenheim today, the first one being a McLaren one-two, and the second seeing Hamilton ahead of Massa. Notable events included Kubica smashing into the wall in FP1, he emerged unscathed and the mechanics worked furiously to get his car out in the afternoon. Also, Glock had an airborne moment in his Toyota, and landed with a serious bump.
Elsewhere today, Ross Brawn has said that he expects Button and Barrichello to remain with the team next year. Although negotiations are still ongoing, and Brawn doesn’t believe it is of high priority at the moment, he said: “I don’t think there will be any dramatic change. It’s unfair to criticise the drivers as we haven’t provided them with a good enough car.”
Finally, Anthony Hamilton has sparked a new raft of speculation by having a not-so-secret meeting with Stefano Domenicali. Pictures have emerged of the two chatting, and whilst that’s all we know, it doesn’t stop the Hamilton to Ferrari rumours from starting afresh.
That’s all for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
Hamilton has topped the timesheets for the second consecutive day at testing in Hockenheim. Rosberg was second for Williams, and Raikkonen third in the Ferrari. There were three red flags throughout the day, caused by Sutil, Barrichello and Alonso. The weather was slightly improved from yesterday, although there was a shower in the morning.
During the session, a photographer crossed the track, without an official tabbard on, to take pictures from an out of bounds area. The FIA recalled all the photographers and their tabbards and banned them from taking pictures until they had all sat through a briefing. They were then given new tabbards and allowed back to their posts, although the original photographer is under investigation.
Finally today, Coulthard has said that he has no plans to race in any other series after he retires from Formula 1 at the end of the season. He’s not ruling it out but says his thoughts remain within the F1 world for now.
That’s all for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
This is F1 Minute for the 8th July 2008. Please excuse my voice, I picked up some lovely germs from Silverstone.
Testing got underway in Hockenheim today, in preparation for the German Grand Prix. Rain caused plenty of chaos throughout with showers on and off. McLaren were running a brand new addition to their car in the shape of the shark fin engine cover used by many of the other teams. It seemed to help them, with Hamilton posting the fastest time of the day. Raikkonen was second and Rosberg third. Wurz was behind the only red flag, when his Honda spun off in the wet.
Elsewhere, David Coulthard has said that he’d like to see Vettel take his place at Red Bull when he retires at the end of the season. Over on F1.com, he said: “For me Sebastian Vettel has everything that a future winner in Formula 1 needs. Also his maturity and approach shows me that he is the best man for the job.”
Finally, Super Aguri are putting their assets up for sale at an online auction later this month, and the Mosley court case continues with several of the women involved backing up the presidents claims that there was no Nazi element to proceedings.
That’s all for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
Today is Wednesday, the 28th 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.