02-Oct-08: Williams Confirm Nakajima for 2009
Welcome to F1 Minute for the 2nd October 2008.
Williams have confirmed their driver lineup for next season and it remains unchanged. We already knew that Rosberg would be driving for them in 2009, but now Nakajima has been signed up for next year as well. Frank Williams believes it is good to be consistent with the two drivers, plus Nico Hulkenberg as tester, and says: “Nico Rosberg continues to be one of the most capable drivers in the sport. Kazuki is getting stronger all the time and has more to offer and Nico Hulkenberg is developing well.”
Also today, Flavio Briatore has apparently said he will be taking a different role at Renault next year, and bringing a team director on board to run the day-to-day business. Briatore has said he already has someone in mind.
Finally, Red Bull believe they have found what caused Webber’s gearbox to malfunction in Singapore. They’ve narrowed it down to an electrical surge from the tramlines on the street circuit. What are the chances?
That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
24-Sep-08: Berger Wants More Support From Red Bull
It’s the 24th September, and you’re listening to F1 Minute.
Although Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz has already expressed his desire to sell sister team Toro Rosso before the end of 2009, co-owner Gerhard Berger wants more investment into his team. He believes Toro Rosso’s first win should inspire more support to get better results.
As well as that, customer cars are being outlawed after next season, and Berger knows they will need to increase the infrastructure. “If we need to build the entire car, it’s clear that to do that I can’t wait until 2010, I will have to start before then, and I will need more people. From the 160 staff we are now, to build and produce the entire car in 2010 we’ll need to grow to 230 people.”
Elsewhere today, Nakajima has spoken about Bridgestone’s new one-size fits all wet weather tyre, as he tested it at Jerez last week. He concludes that it was way too slippery, like driving on an ice rink: “It is the first generation one and I think we need to do a lot of work there.”
That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
17-Sep-08: BMW on Top for Second Day at Jerez
Today is the 17th September and this is F1 Minute.
BMW climbed to the top of the timesheets for the second day at Jerez, where this time eight teams were in action, instead of just the three we saw yesterday. Klien was at the wheel, and he finished ahead of Vettel. The German was driving for Red Bull, as a pre-cursor to him joining them for next season. To add to the confusion, normal Red Bull test driver Sebastian Buemi was third fastest of the day, but with a Toro Rosso under him. He was under evaluation for a possible race drive in 2009.
Also today, McLaren were testing out their KERS setup for the first time, and Williams hit the track with their 2009 spec rear wing – a much narrower and higher evolution of this year’s wing. Nakajiama finished the day last and 2 seconds off the pace of his nearest rival.
Ferrari, meanwhile, were at their own private test with Badoer in the hotseat, whilst Force India have not joined the testing fun yet.
That wraps up everything for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
13-Sep-08: Vettel Lands Toro Rosso’s First Pole in Italy
Welome to F1 Minute, it’s the 13th September.
Free Practice 3 was wet, and very little meaningful running took place, although Hamilton and a few brave drivers did take to the track. When qualifying began, it was still raining, but the first session looked like things were going to plan, as both Honda’s, Nakajima and Sutil were all knocked out. Finally, after proclaiming it their target all year, Force India got through to the second session with Fisichella at the wheel. McLaren appeared to make a bad decision in Q2, sending Hamilton out for one lap on intermediate tyres. He returned to the pits for extreme wets, but couldn’t get a lap time together, and finished that session at the back, starting 15th on the grid, just behind Raikkonen.
In Q3, Massa and Kovalainen were the soul representatives of the top two teams, but it was Toro Rosso who made it work. Vettel took an early lead, when conditions were less wet, and as it began to rain once more, no one could beat it. The Italian squad start their home race from their first pole position.
That’s it for today, join me again tomorrow with all the info from what’s bound to be an incredible race.
06-Sep-08: Hamilton Gets Pole for the Belgian Grand Prix
Welcome to F1 Minute, today is the 6th September 2008.
Hamilton has put McLaren on pole position for the Belgian Grand Prix tomorrow, posting a time three tenths of a second faster than second place Felipe Massa. Kovalainen aimed for the front row as well, but missed, settling behind the Ferrari, with Raikkonen in turn behind him.
For the second race in a row, both Toro Rosso drivers made it into the third session of qualifying, although didn’t get any higher than 9th and 10th. For a moment it looked as though Force India might be able to get into Q2, as Sutil was running in 14th, but inevitably he was pushed down the order. Both Force Indias and Hondas start at the back of the grid, plus Nakajima who had a very poor showing.
Heidfeld had a good day though, qualifying 5th well ahead of Kubica in 8th, trying to ease some of the pressure on him from BMW.
There was no rain to speak of, and no major incidents, and it looks as though tomorrow may be a dry day as well.
That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
24-Aug-08: Massa Takes a Controversial and Unconfirmed Europe Win
This is F1 Minute for the 24th August 2008.
The European Grand Prix at Valencia got underway relatively calmly, with Massa holding his lead over Hamilton and the pair streaking away from the rest of the pack. There was a wide field spread and overtaking seemed almost impossible. The expected safety car situation never happened.
That doesn’t mean there weren’t incidents though. Nakajima crashed into the back of Alonso on the first lap, with the Renault having to stop. Sutil spun and hit the wall, and Raikkonen was the other retiree. He had a botched pit stop that saw him pull away with the fuel rig attached, injuring the mechanic on duty. He was stretchered away and we don’t yet have an update on how he is. A lap or so later, and the Ferrari pulled to the side of the track spewing smoke from the engine.
Massa’s Ferrari held together though and he took the win from Hamilton and Kubica. He is under investigation from the stewards, for being released in the pit lane directly into the path of a Force India. We are still waiting for their findings.
With two unresolved items, it looks like I’ll be back later with another F1 Minute.
10-Jul-08: Massa Heads Up Final Day at Hockenheim
This is F1 Minute and today is the 10th July 2008.
The third and final day of the test at Hockenheim came to a close with Felipe Massa the fastest man. Button was in second, and Kovalainen third. There were three red flags throughout the day, one caused by Fisichella – who suffered quite a crash – Nakajima, and Alonso. Fisichella lost control of his car and smashed into a nearby wall, he was unharmed but there was significant damage to the Force India.
Elsewhere, Donington Park have revealed their plans for improving the circuit for when the British GP descends in 2010. They are lengthening the track to get it to the required standard, introducing a new facility for race control and the media, and updating the pit complex so the teams will feel quite at home.
Finally, renowned F1 photographer Bernard Cahier has passed away at the age of 81. He had worked in motorsport since the 50s and was instrumental in organising the structure of F1 media.
That’s all for today, please join me again tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
04-Jul-08: A Free Practice Update From the Track Itself
Welcome to F1 Minute for the 4th July 2008, coming at you from the grounds of the Silverstone Circuit. We’re here for all three days so let me fill you in on what happened today.
In Free Practice 1, the two notable events were interconnected. Alonso’s Renault engine blew up, leaving oil all over the track. Moments later, Massa’s Ferrari hit the slippery surface and spun 180 degrees before smashing into the barrier. It was a heavy crash but he climbed from the car unscathed. Because of the excess oil on the track, and the limited running that took place after the red flag, Massa managed to hold on to the fastest time, despite not taking any further part in the session.
In FP2, Glock broke down, pulling his Toyota to the side of the track. Just as soon as his car was recovered, Trulli sent his Toyota into the barriers as well. If that wasn’t enough excitement Nakajima also had an incident that saw him return to the pits minus a front wing. Both Hondas and Toro Rosso were notably high up the timesheets in FP2, whilst Kovalainen reigned supreme.
That’s all for today, join me again tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
08-Jun-08: Kubica Takes Maiden Win in Canada
This is F1 Minute for Sunday 8th June 2008.
Kubica took his first ever win in Canada today, after a pit lane incident knocked both Hamilton and Raikkonen out of the race. Kubica kept his head with a two stop strategy, and finished in front of his one-stopping team mate Heidfeld, and an incident-free Coulthard.
An early safety car was brought out by Sutil who pulled off track and out of the race, and his car had to be retrieved. When the pit lane opened, a stream of traffic took the opportunity, and Kubica and Raikkonen pulled up to the red light at the same time. Hamilton, just behind them, made a mistake, either not realising or ignoring the red light, and crashed into the back of Raikkonen.
Elsewhere, Massa had to pit an extra time after a mistake by the mechanics, but pulled off a couple of outstanding overtaking maneouvres to finish in fifth. Both Renaults retired, along with Fisichella and Nakajima. The track seemed to hold up for the entire race, despite previous worries about it breaking up. Alonso did blame it for his crash, however.
That’s all for today, please join me again tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
11-May-08: Massa Takes Victory in Turkey
This is F1 Minute for the 11th May 2008.
The Turkish Grand Prix played out exactly as Felipe Massa would have hoped, with a lights to flag victory for him. It wasn’t all easy though, as at one point Lewis Hamilton overtook the Ferrari and flew off into the distance. However, Hamilton was running a three stop strategy, due to some problems with the soft tyres. Controversially, Hamilton appears to blame Bridgestone for the problem, whilst Bridgestone appear to be saying it’s something in the way Hamilton drives.
Elsewhere today, the circuit came under scrutiny, as some wild dogs managed to get onto the tarmac during the GP2 race, causing havoc and ending Bruno Senna’s race. Charlie Whiting is writing to the FIA about the security breach at the Istanbul Park Circuit. It’s even more embarrassing because this is the track that Bernie owns.
Back to the race though, there were only three retirements, Fisichella, Nakajima and Bourdais, whilst Massa was joined on the podium by Raikkonen and Hamilton.
That’s all for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.