Di Resta Tester

Paul di Resta takes part in a DTM event in May this year, driving an AMG Mercedes C-Class round Hockenheim. The driver has been signed up to test for Force India at Jerez at the beginning of December, alongside American JR Hildebrand.

Credit: Daimler AG

01-Oct-09: German Grand Prix Secure Until 2018

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Welcome to F1 Minute for the 1st October 2009.

We’ve heard reports in the past that the future of the German Grand Prix could be a bit shaky, but it seems as though that might not be the case. A statement from the Hockenheim organisers suggest a new deal has been done with Bernie Ecclestone to keep the event on the calendar until 2018. It looks as though the timeshare with Nurburgring will still continue though.

Elsewhere, the paddock has been reacting to Alonso’s Ferrari move, with the Spaniard saying he wants to end his career at Ferrari, and emulate some of Michael Schumacher’s success. Team boss Luca di Montezemolo believes Alonso will be a better fit with the team personality wise, whilst Raikkonen isn’t sure if he will stay in F1 next year. He has thought about rallying instead and said: “Yes, there’s a chance to do that, but there’s as much of a chance that I continue in Formula 1.” He said he wouldn’t go to any of the small teams though, only ones capable of winning the championship.

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

14-Jul-09: Piquet’s Future the Next Called into Doubt

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Today is the 14th July 2009 and this is F1 Minute.

After the news that Bourdais will most likely be leaving Toro Rosso by the time we get to the next race, the attention has now turned to Nelson Piquet. Flavio Briatore hasn’t helped matters by neither confirming nor denying whether Piquet would be in the second car in Hungary. However, Piquet seems to think he will be there, as he says he’s been promised the same car as Alonso.

Elsewhere, the 2010 season is losing races by the minute, as the German Grand Prix could be a no go. Hockenheim officials have already confirmed they are struggling to find the funds to host the event, and today the Nurburgring has said they wouldn’t want to hold the race every year, rather they prefer the alternate years deal that they currently have. However, the managing director of the circuit did say the only way it could happen was if Bernie reduced the fee and quote: “I cannot imagine that he is willing to accept my wish.” Me neither.

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

Looking for Divine Intervention

Nelson Piquet Jr ponders the weather ahead of qualifying at the German Grand Prix in 2008. Thanks to a safety car period caused by Timo Glock, Piquet sailed into the lead of the race, and eventually finished second behind Lewis Hamilton.

Credit: Charles Coates/LAT Photographic

Lacking Backing

The grid wait to go, go, go for the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim in 2001. The circuit is due to host the German race again next year, with the Nurburgring taking over duties for 2009. However, the Hockenheim Council have voted not to continue supporting the GP, meaning we may have seen the last of it.

Credit: Williams F1

24-Jun-09: FIA Announce Peace in Formula 1

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Today is the 24th June and this is F1 Minute.

Following a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council today, Max Mosley announced that those teams threatening to breakaway from Formula 1… are no longer going to do so. We have only heard the FIA’s side of the story so far, but they say they have come to a deal with FOTA. For his part, Max has confirmed that he will not stand for re-election in October. I will believe it when I see it. The teams association are meeting tomorrow and will make a statement then.

The official 2010 entry list has been confirmed, now that the breakaway threat has dissipated. All the current teams plus the three new ones are on there – and there are no more annoying little side notes.

Elsewhere, Hockenheim has been sharing the German Grand Prix with Nurburgring and had it’s turn last year, but it looks as though that could be their last. The City Council is a major shareholder in the track and have unanimously voted not to support the race any longer, despite their contract running out next year.

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

16-Dec-08: Buemi Leads Again and Feels Confident

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Today is the 16th December 2008 and this is F1 Minute.

Sebastien Buemi continued his domination of the testing timesheets today, by leading the way at Jerez in his Red Bull. Vettel was also out on track in the same car, and was three tenths slower over the same number of laps. Buemi is now super confident that he’s going to get a drive with Toro Rosso and said: “It would be good to know before Christmas, but I am not in a hurry. I feel very confident based on my test results, so I’ll await the team’s decision.”

BMW were third and fourth on the timesheets, with Kubica doing some advanced KERS setup work, and bringing up the rear were Williams once again, this time in the hands of Nakajima.

Over in Portugal, McLaren’s de la Rosa led both Badoer and Gene in the Ferrari.
Elsewhere today, Hockenheim have put their fate into the hands of the government, hoping they can plead with Bernie Ecclestone to lower the cost of entering F1. If not they will definitely have to withdraw from the 2010 calendar.

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

01-Dec-08: Hockenheim Reveal Doubt About F1 Future

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Today is the 1st December 2008, and this is F1 Minute.

Hockenheim has become the next circuit to admit they’re struggling for money and will have to rethink their F1 commitment. At the moment, Hockenheim alternates hosting the German Grand Prix with the Nurburgring, and is due to return to the calendar in 2010. However, reports suggest that the track made a loss of over 5 million Euros this year, and says the only way to carry on is with government intervention. With so many well known circuits struggling financially, Bernie Ecclestone is going to have to sit up and take notice, isn’t he? Let me know what you think at F1Minute.com.

Elsewhere this weekend, Brazil was the scene of yet more racing action, as Renault were there for their lastroadshow of the year. More than 100,000 people turned up and enjoyed the demos from Nelson Piquet. Also in Brazil, Barrichello won the charity kart race organised by Felipe Massa. The F1 veteran beat off the likes of Massa, Michael Schumacher, Badoer, Liuzzi and di Grassi.

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

21-Jul-08: Glock Released from Hospital, Ready to Test

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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.

20-Jul-08: Lewis Hamilton is Victorious at Hockenheim

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Welcome to F1 Minute, it’s the 20^th July 2008.

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.

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