Quotes Roundup – Week Ending 6th December

The very best from the mouths of those in the know.

Young Driver Test

More sign-ups for 2010…

• “It is impressive what the car does, how predictable and precise its reactions are, and how high the overall grip level is. But I have to admit I am also a little bit disappointed because being a racing driver you always want to be the fastest!” Alexander Rossi, BMW
  
• “I am very happy to be able to drive for Sauber. It will be a second day for me – and it’s always good to get two days of testing instead of one. It will be very interesting to compare the differences between the two teams and the two cars.” Bertrand Baguette, Renault then Sauber
  
• “I don’t have any concrete plans for next year but I hope that I can build a solid relationship with Force India for the future off the back of this test.” Paul di Resta, Force India
  

Young Drivers and Ferrari

The red team are keen on getting youngsters in the car…

• “Ferrari contacted my manager Willi Weber. They had a bit of interest and there was some contact. It didn’t come out that way, as we know, and I think it worked out for the best because I was able to finish GP2, win it and start F1 clean with Williams, who are a great team.” Nico Hulkenberg
  
• “We are very happy to do this long-term deal, which was completed a short time ago. His role is undefined for the moment, but from now on, he will be at Ferrari’s disposal. His first Ferrari drive is obviously at this young driver test.” Nicolas Todt, manager of Jules Bianchi
  
• “It is very difficult to explain how I feel, but it is something very special. I know this is the first step on a journey that could turn out very nicely, but I’m equally aware that there is still a long way to go to Formula 1.” Jules Bianchi
  

Sauber Become 13th Team

Peter Sauber takes the helm once more…

• “The team can now turn its full attention to preparing for the forthcoming season. We have no doubt that Peter Sauber and his team will justify their nomination through good performance, and we wish them all every success in the future.” Mario Theissen
  
• “Subject to their signing the Concorde Agreement, BMW Sauber will be awarded the 13th entry in the Championship, taking the place of the departing Toyota team.” FIA Statement
  
• “This is excellent news for the workforce in Hinwil. After many weeks of uncertainty, we have finally secured our place on the grid for 2010. Now we can enter into concrete negotiations with drivers and sponsors.” Peter Sauber
  

02-Dec-09: Bianchi Signs Long-Term Deal with Ferrari

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It’s the 2nd December 2009 and this is F1 Minute.

It’s been quite a day for our young drivers, as it was announced on the strength of one day in the car, that Jules Bianchi had been signed up to Ferrari for the long-term. Although there is no defined role for him, he will be available to them if they need him, and he’s hoping it would lead to a testing role and then, of course, a race seat.

Meanwhile, Bertrand Baguette switched teams, having tested for Renault yesterday, and announced he would be having a go in the Sauber car tomorrow. He said: “I am very happy to be able to drive for Sauber. It will be a second day for me – and it’s always good to get two days of testing instead of one.”

In today’s test, though, Gary Paffett finished on top in the McLaren, with Hulkenberg in the Williams second and Ricciardo in the Red Bull third. He was very keen to tell the media that he’d jump at the chance of a full time test role for Red Bull.

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

20-Nov-09: Williams Sell a Minority Stake in the Team

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Welcome to F1 Minute for the 20th November 2009.

Williams announced today that they have sold a stake in their team to an Austrian investment company, somewhere between 10 and 49%, which doesn’t really narrow it down. The head of that company Toto Wolff has experience as a rally driver, and will sit on the board of Williams, but Frank Williams is still insistent that he’s in charge and that nothing really changes in the day to day running of the team. Perhaps the key quote for the motivation behind the deal is from Frank: “Certainly he can be very useful in finding sponsors. It’s an area where he can, I’m sure, be very active.”

Elsewhere, Ferrari have confirmed their driver for the upcoming young driver test at Jerez in December. They are giving 20 year old Frenchman Jules Bianchi a chance behind the wheel. Bianchi won the Formula 3 Euro series this year and will be competing in the Macau Grand Prix this weekend. After that, though, he’s looking forward to getting in an F1 car for the first time.

That’s all for now, have a great weekend and I’ll be back on Monday with another F1 Minute.

Bejeweled

French driver Jules Bianchi participates in GP2 testing at Paul Ricard. The 20 year old has been given the opportunity to test for Ferrari in the young driver test at Jerez in early December. Bianchi has previously won the Formula 3 Euro series, and is taking part in the Macau Grand Prix this weekend.

Credit: Drew Gibson/LAT Photographic