01-Dec-08: Hockenheim Reveal Doubt About F1 Future
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.
31-Jul-08: McLaren Confirm Kovalainen for 2009
This is F1 Minute and it’s the 31st July 2008.
McLaren have today confirmed that Heikki Kovalainen will be partnering Lewis Hamilton in 2009, and everyone is very happy about it. Kovalainen says he’s ready to commit to McLaren and hopes that he can stay there for the rest of his career. Hamilton is pleased with the improved atmosphere within the team, so he’s glad it will continue. Martin Whitmarsh said that Kovalainen is “a brilliant young racing driver” but they will still be working to “extract his full potential.”
Elsewhere today, Michael Schumacher has been involved in an incident in Kent, where the Fiat van he was driving hit a barrier and knocked over a man. Martin Kingham reported the incident and police arrived at the scene. They were at first suspicious of the driver’s claims to be the seven times World Champion, but with the help of some ID, they did confirm that it was indeed Michael Schumacher in the van. No one was hurt, details were exchanged, and the matter was dealt with swiftly. My question is, what was Schumacher doing in Kent in the first place?
That’s all for today, join me again tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
15-Jul-08: Force India to Concentrate on 2009
Welcome to F1 Minute for the 15th July 2008.
Force India have joined the list of teams to switch their development focus from this year to next years car. Honda and Renault have already hinted at the fact that they are concentrating on adapting to the 2009 regulations. Now Vijay Mallya has said the only major update for the Force India this year is to switch to a seamless shift gearbox, and that’s it. Mallya also defended his team’s performance, saying: “Ferrari didn’t win a world championship for years until Michael Schumacher came along in 1996, and even then it took three or four years to win. So people can’t expect miracles from me in one season, but I’m getting there, and I’m showing that I’m inching forward.”
Elsewhere today, it looks like Spanish fans may be able to watch the remainder of the season live on their mobile phones if they so desire. The company HYC is partnering with TV broadcasters to enable this: “richer communications experience though a personalized and interactive service.” We’ll see.
That’s all for today, please join me again tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
08-May-08: Kovalainen Given the Okay to Race in Turkey
Welcome to F1 Minute, it’s the 8th May.
Heikki Kovalainen has been given the all clear to race in Turkey this weekend, after an FIA medical examination today. Heikki says he is obviously very pleased about the decision as he is feeling 100% ready.
The FIA have confirmed that there’s a small tweak to the qualifying setup, due to Super Aguri’s withdrawal from the competition. From this Saturday, the first and second sessions of qualifying will see five cars drop out each, leaving ten to go through to the third session. This rewrite comes after the rules were already adjusted to accommodate the missing Prodrive team, and now we are down to just twenty cars.
Finally today, there is controversy surrounding Germany’s new state-sponsored sporting Hall of Fame, as it misses of three of the most famous sporting personalities. Michael Schumacher, and tennis stars Steffi Graf and Boris Becker are all missing. The initiative is intended to encourage youngsters to take up sport, but the list is made up of mostly deceased sporting heroes.
That’s all for today, please join me again tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
26-Feb-08: Coulthard Pulls out of Barcelona Test
Today is the 26th February, I’m Christine and this is F1 Minute.
David Coulthard had to withdraw from testing in Barcelona today due to a minor injury to his neck. The Red Bull driver pulled a muscle during yesterday’s session and has had treatment for it today. He will be resting up now and hoping he’ll be alright for tomorrow. Red Bull drafted in Sebastian Vettel to take his place, as Toro Rosso were only running one car.
Two McLaren’s topped the tables today, with Hamilton just edging Kovalainen. Raikkonen was third in the Ferrari. Rosberg continued the fine form of Williams in 4th, and it’s worth pointing out Fisichella in the Force India was in 6th. It was the first completely dry day for a long time, and Button managed to raise Honda’s spirits with the 9th fastest time, while Renault struggled with Alonso in 13th and Piquet in 18th.
Elsewhere, Michael Schumacher spoke about his experience yesterday, and predicted that it will be a two horse race this year, McLaren and Ferrari. He said Ferrari are not as far ahead as everyone thinks, but they are strong.
That’s all for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
25-Feb-08: Hamilton Leads the Way at Final Test
This is F1 Minute for the 25th February.
The last official testing week began in Barcelona, with Lewis Hamilton leading the pack. He was just a few hundredths faster than Kimi Raikkonen in the Ferrari, who in turn was just a tenth faster than Michael Schumacher. There were three red flags during the day brought out by Heidfeld, Vettel and Piquet.
The test saw the debut of the new Force India car, with Sutil and Liuzzi taking to the track. They finished the day sandwiching a BMW, and ahead of two Toyotas and two Hondas.
Unfortunately, Super Aguri were not present at the test, and are unlikely to be able to join at all this week. Team boss Aguri Suzuki is currently in Japan holding crisis talks with both Honda and potential investors, but until their future is secure, the team can’t afford to test. They are, however, still preparing for the start of the season in Australia.
Very quickly to finish, a life-size replica of the F2008 made out of chocolate was given to a Ferrari owners club in Italy. It cost about £11,000, took a year to make, and was broken up into little pieces to be shared by the fan club members.
That’s all for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
11-Jan-08: Williams FW30 Not Appearing Anytime Soon
Today is the 11th January, I’m Christine and this is F1 Minute.
After deciding not to have a press launch for their 2008 car, Williams are now pushing back its track debut as well. The new machinery was supposed to be on the tarmac at Jerez next week, but Williams have decided to bring the old FW29 rather than the new 30. Technical director Sam Michael said they had always known the schedule was pushing it, and he would rather not rush things with the new car.
Ferrari have finally pinpointed exactly what Michael Schumacher’s role is within the team, after a season of being rather vague. He will be in charge of car development for Gestione Sportiva – which is the motorsport section of Ferrari. He’ll still continue to test for the team, and says the 2008 car looks promising but he has no schedule of when he’ll get behind the wheel.
And finally, after talking up the team non-stop with big budgets, advertising and a top notch driver line-up event, Vijay Mallya has warned his home country of India not to expect too much from the team in their first year. Talk about mixed signals.
That’s it for this week, have a great weekend and join me on Monday 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.
06-Dec-07: Renault Escape Sanction From WMSC
Today is the 6th December 2007, I’m Christine and this is F1 Minute.
The World Motorsport Council gathered today to discuss McLaren’s espionage accusation against Renault. They found Renault to be in breach of Article 151C of the Sporting Code, but issued no penalty against the team. A transcript of the meeting will be released at some point, but further details will be forthcoming tomorrow.
Renault issued a statement almost immediately after the decision was announced, with Briatore thanking the sponsors for their support and the team for quote: “handling the matter with integrity and dignity.” McLaren have yet to comment.
Out on track, Kubica set the fastest time in the third day of testing at Jerez. He was running with slick tyres and just managed to beat Hamilton, who was on the regular grooved tyres. Michael Schumacher was back with Ferrari, running the slick tyres, and posted only the 8th fastest time.
Brother Ralf was in the Force India car, but struggled throughout the day, causing a red flag and ending up bottom of the timesheets. Another red flag came from Nakajima, who had to stop on track with engine problems.
That’s all for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
29-Nov-07: Indianapolis Boss Hopes For F1 Return
Today is the 29th November 2007, this is F1 Minute and these are your top headlines.
The boss of the Indianapolis circuit in America has expressed his hope that Formula 1 will return to the states and to their track. Having invested so much in the circuit, Joie Chitwood hopes that a deal can be done for a future race.
BMW have released Timo Glock from his contract, so that he can join his new team Toyota for the upcoming test in Jerez. Glock’s contract officially runs out on December 31st, but BMW have given the go ahead for him to test all four days next week.
Jarno Trulli has been talking about his hopes that slick tyres will return to racing, as he dislikes the current grooved ones. Trulli says they change a drivers style to be totally unnatural and the graining that come with a grooved tyre is frustrating. He blames any lack of overtaking in Formula 1 on the grooved tyres.
And very quickly, two former World Champions have been talking about Michael Schumacher’s impressive return to form in testing this winter. Alan Jones and Mika Hakkinen both say that his success may tempt the German back to the cockpit.
That’s all for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.