21-Apr-08: Mosley Intends to Fight But Not Past 2009
This is F1 Minute for the 21st April 2008.
Max Mosley has spoken out in his first interview since the News of the World expose, and defended his right to have a private life. He’s said that for every letter he’s had telling him to resign, he’s had seven telling him to stay, and it’s for those people that he intends to fight his corner. He has admitted, though, that if he does survive the vote in June and remains president of the FIA, he won’t seek another term in 2009. The best part of the interview, however, was Mosley referring to his wife’s reaction, saying she was “not best pleased.” The first vocal supporter of Max has spoken out. It’s ex-Ferrari chief Jean Todt, and he says he’s amazed at the reaction to Mosley’s private life.
Elsewhere in the sport, Barrichello has set the date for Turkey to be his record-breaking 257th Grand Prix start, although there is some discrepancy over the actual number of races he has taken part in. Honda decided a lack of any definitive answer means that Turkey will do as the race to celebrate.
That’s all for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
26-Mar-08: Jordan Blocks Force India Factory Access
Today is the 26th March and this is F1 Minute.
In a complex story involving land ownership and bad management communication, former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan has blocked off the access road to the Force India factory with some strategically placed concrete blocks. Jordan owns the land and is in dispute talks over the team buying it. He says: “I’ve got no problem with Mallya. It’s the people who are managing the business who don’t want to talk.”
Bosses of the Qatar MotoGP circuit have confirmed that they will be making some revisions to the track in the hopes of securing some F1 interest. Despite Bahrain and Abu Dhabi already secured on the calendar, the hopes are that the circuit can at least be used for F1 testing to bring attention and revenue to the country.
Jean Todt has said he will do everything he can to help replacement Ferrari chief Stefano Domenicali adapt and settle in to his new job. Todt says: “It would be presumptuous to say advice. To have somebody you trust and like, and share emotions and doubts and problems with is a help.”
That’s all for today, join me again tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
23-Mar-08: Raikkonen Takes First 2008 Win in Malaysia
Today is the 23rd March, I’m Christine and this is F1 Minute.
Ferrari dominated proceedings in Malaysia, despite Massa retiring halfway through the race. Early on, Raikkonen and Massa were trading fastest laps, Raikkonen managed to jump his team mate during the first round of pit stops and held the lead until the end. Massa was close in second until he spun off and got stuck in the gravel.
Robert Kubica continued to show the strong form of BMW by taking second place on the podium, and Kovalainen made the best of a bad weekend for McLaren in third. Notably, Trulli took fourth place, in a much improved Toyota performance.
Retirees included Bourdais, Glock, Sutil and Vettel – who’s Ferrari engine blew up after about 40 laps.
In other news, speculation is mounting that Jean Todt might be lining up to take Max Mosley’s place as President of the FIA. The former Ferrari CEO said he was “open” to other roles within motorsport and didn’t deny the possibility of running for the Presidency.
That’s all for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
18-Mar-08: Scuderia Toro Rosso Team Put Up For Sale
Hi everyone, it’s the 18th March and this is F1 Minute.
It’s now official that Toro Rosso have been put up for sale. Dietrich Mateschitz has confirmed that the Red Bull B team will be sold before the anti-customer car rule changes come into effect in 2010. He says he doesn’t see the need to sell Toro Rosso in 2008, but wants to find someone worthy of the team by the end of next year.
Sir Jackie Stewart has criticised Lewis Hamilton’s decision to stay away from the GPDA for the time being. New chairman Pedro de la Rosa said he wanted to encourage younger drivers to the team, but Hamilton said he was too busy to give it his full commitment. Stewart has hit out at that, saying: “I’m surprised and disappointed. He has been badly advised. It is completely wrong not to be involved.” He believes that the younger drivers like Hamilton and Raikkonen are becoming complacent about safety.
And a final snippet, Jean Todt has stepped down from his position as CEO of Ferrari, although he remains on the board.
That’s it for today, please join me again tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
09-Jan-08: Toyota to Launch on the Internet
This is F1 Minute for the 9th January 2008, and these are your top headlines for today.
Toyota are taking the launch of their new car to another level, by broadcasting it over their website. Tune in to Toyota-f1.com on Thursday, at 10:30 Central European Time and you’ll get to see the brand new TF108. Toyota released a statement saying the 40 minute program would see the new car unveiled, talks from key members of the development team, plus of course, an appearance from the drivers.
Teams have not been exactly quiet on the subject of the single ECU, provided by a sister company to McLaren. In the same week that Jean Todt insisted his arch rivals would have an advantage from the situation, BMW’s Mario Theissen has said that standardising electronics is a mistake and has already added substantial costs to their production process.
McLaren’s new car hit the tarmac today in the first of a three day test run at Jerez. Pedro de la Rosa was behind the wheel in the morning, whilst Kovalainen had his first taste of the Mercedes in the afternoon.
That’s all for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
04-Jan-08: 2008 Entry List Confirms Super Aguri Drivers
I’m Christine, this is F1 Minute and these are your headlines for today, 4th January 2008.
The FIA have announced the Official 2008 Entry list, with names filling 21 of the 22 seats, and only Force India’s number two left undecided. Super Aguri are not happy with the announcement, as they claim their drivers are not confirmed yet, despite Davidson and Sato being listed. A spokesperson for the team said that they do intend to retain the pair for the upcoming season, but negotiations are still ongoing and no contracts have been signed yet.
Jean Todt has been interviewed in the German press, and revealed that Michael Schumacher was offered the top job at Ferrari in Todt’s place. He said: “He would have been the best candidate for this job, but he did not want it.” Todt also said that he may only attend a couple of races next year, he is confident that Raikkonen will not be walking away from Ferrari anytime soon, and the team remain friendly with Ross Brawn, despite him being a rival now.
That’s all for today, have a great weekend, and join me on Monday for another F1 Minute.
12-Nov-07: Honda Appoint Ross Brawn as Team Boss
Hello everyone, I’m Christine and this is F1 Minute for the 12th November 2007.
Honda have been in the news over the weekend, starting with Jenson Button’s admission that he is not happy. Button issued an ultimatum saying he needs to see better performance or he will head elsewhere. Selected quotes include: “The car was a complete dog, and I’m just not interested in racing like this,” and “I can’t be bothered with working my nuts off and qualifying 14th anymore. It’s making me unhappy.”
Today, Honda have announced that Ross Brawn, ex-Ferrari technical director, will be joining them as team boss on 26th November. Rumours had been circulating that Brawn would be looking for a new challenge after his championship winning partnership with Michael Schumacher came to an end last year. Brawn believes that Honda will provide that challenge and he can turn the team’s fortunes around.
Also announced today, with much less fanfare, is the news that a restructure at Ferrari sees Stefano Domenicali take over from Jean Todt as F1 boss, whilst the latter will remain in a chief executive position.
That’s all for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
16-Oct-07: Massa With Ferrari Until 2010
Hello everyone, I’m Christine from Sidepodcast, and this is your F1 minute for 16th October, 2007.
Ferrari have confirmed a long term contract with Felipe Massa that will see the Brazilian in the car until 2010. Rumours have been flying around that the dream Ferrari line up would be Raikkonen and Alonso, but team boss Jean Todt believes this news proves their belief in the current driver line up.
Whilst Massa no longer has to worry about where Alonso goes for next year, Giancarlo Fisichella is still waiting and hoping that his seat at Renault will be available. After yesterday’s confirmation from Flavio Briatore that he is not announcing his drivers just yet, Fisichella has said today that even if he can’t drive for the French team, he will not be quitting F1.
Plans for the redevelopment of the Silverstone circuit have finally been unveiled, including hotels, conference centres, educational facilities, and residential housing in the surrounding areas. The track will essentially remain unchanged, although there is potential for the pit area to be moved and developed.
Those are your top stories for today, join me tomorrow for another F1 minute.