16-Mar-10: Ecclestone Tells F1 Not to Panic
March 16, 2010 by Christine
Filed under Daily F1 News
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Welcome to F1 Minute, it’s the 16th March 2010.
The reaction continues to pour forth regarding F1’s first race of the year, with Webber going into more detail than his initial tweet. He said: “I spent 48 laps staring at the gearboxes of first Schumacher and the Button and there was nothing I could do to pass them.” He added: “I was quicker than him but I was unable to find a way through. He didn’t make a mistake and if I’d tried to force the issue, it would have ended in a crash.”
Coulthard has joined in the call for mandatory pitstops, suggesting that as it is now, it’s all about reliability rather than racing.
Bernie Ecclestone has warned that the sport shouldn’t over-react though. He said: “There is no panic, no crisis for F1. I think there is nothing we can do immediately and we should not just knee-jerk into changes… The first race with new regulations was always going to be a learning curve for them all. Now they know they can make improvements and be a bit bolder and we will get more action.”
Let’s hope!
That’s it for today, please join me again tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
Mercedes GP – Laureus Logo on Mercedes GP Petronas Cars
March 14, 2010 by Christine
Filed under Press Releases
The MERCEDES GP PETRONAS cars of seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher and team-mate Nico Rosberg will carry the Laureus logo throughout the 2010 Formula One World Championship.
The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation uses sport to improve the lives of young people around the world.
The logo made its debut on the cars in Bahrain and will be carried throughout the season which will end on 14 November in Abu Dhabi, the city which hosted the 2010 Laureus World Sports Awards. Michael Schumacher was honoured with the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award in 2002 and 2004.
Boris Becker, Vice-Chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy said: “I am a big fan of motorsport and especially of Mercedes-Benz. I think it is great that Laureus and MERCEDES GP PETRONAS will be working together. This is a good signal that will be recognised worldwide and I sincerely hope that this will make even more people want to find out about the work that Laureus is doing to support children through the use of sport.”
The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation uses the power of sport to address social challenges through a worldwide programme of sports-related community development initiatives. Currently Laureus supports 78 projects around the world which have helped to improve the lives of over one million young people.
Boris Becker and Mika Hakkinen, both Members of the Laureus World Sports Academy, were present at the Bahrain Grand Prix today to support the initiative.
Mercedes GP – Double Points Finish in Bahrain at Opening Race
March 14, 2010 by Christine
Filed under Press Releases
Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher brought their MERCEDES GP PETRONAS cars home in fifth and sixth positions respectively at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix today.
Starting on the option tyres from fifth on the grid, Nico had a great start to overtake Lewis Hamilton into turn six to move up to fourth. Michael, starting from seventh on the grid, was running in sixth and also using the softer rubber.
The pair made only one stop during the race, Michael on lap 15 and Nico on lap 16, to switch to the prime tyres. Nico lost a position to Hamilton at the stops and they remained in fifth and sixth positions for the remainder of the 49-lap race. Nico chased down Sebastian Vettel at the end of the race but was unable to pass in the turbulent air.
Today’s result puts MERCEDES GP PETRONAS in third position in the Constructors’ Championship with 18 points.
NICO ROSBERG
“I had a great start today and was happy to be running in fourth position by the end of the first lap. However I lacked pace on the option tyres in the first stint and struggled for pace. Lewis beat me on strategy in the pit stop which we need to analyse later and see what happened. I couldn’t quite get Sebastian at the end as I lost grip in the dirty air when I got close. However fifth place is a good start for us and I am confident that we can develop well from here.”
MICHAEL SCHUMACHER
“After three years away, I’m happy to say that I had fun out there today, especially at the beginning with the good start that I had. I can live very well with sixth position and it gives both me and the team a good base to make progress. I have every confidence that we will improve the car. Working with the team for our first race together was very positive and the guys did a great job so I would like to thank them for their support in my comeback race. We all know that we have some way to go but we will get there. The season is long.”
ROSS BRAWN
“Nico and Michael did a great job this weekend to finish in fifth and sixth positions and now we need to give them the car to improve on those placings. We were not quick enough today and our race pace was not there to finish further up the field and challenge for a podium position. We have some hard work ahead but I am confident that we can progress the car strongly in the next few races. The team performed extremely well this weekend and for our first race with our two new drivers, we achieved two strong points-scoring finishes.”
NORBERT HAUG
“It was a difficult race weekend for our team with these extremely hot conditions in Manama. We looked better in the practice sessions than during the race and it appears that we could not handle the tyres as well as the teams ahead of us. Fifth position for Nico and sixth place for Michael was the best possible result today. We have some work to do and we are confident that we will catch up soon.”
Monster Energy Teams Up with Mercedes GP Petronas
March 13, 2010 by Christine
Filed under Press Releases
On the day of the first race of the highly-anticipated 2010 Formula One season, the MERCEDES GP PETRONAS team is pleased to confirm a new partnership with the energy drinks brand, Monster Energy.
As an integral part of Monster’s ongoing global push, the distinctive Monster Energy logo will feature on the helmets of the team’s drivers, Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher, and on their silver racesuits from the first race of the season, the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday 14 March.
Nick Fry, Chief Executive Officer of MERCEDES GP PETRONAS, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Monster Energy to MERCEDES GP PETRONAS as we get our season underway in Bahrain this weekend. Monster had their first taste of Formula One success last year and we are very pleased that they have chosen our team to continue and extend their sponsorship involvement with the sport. With the Monster Energy logo prominent on the helmets of our drivers, Michael and Nico, the Monster brand has a strong global platform for bringing their dynamic marketing to Formula One. We look forward to working with them over the course of the 2010 season.”
Mark Hall, President of Monster Energy, said: “At Monster Energy we don’t hold back. Following our success with sponsoring the current Formula One World Champion Jenson Button in 2009, we’re delighted to have stepped up our involvement in the sport and joined with the current Constructors’ Champions MERCEDES GP PETRONAS. The team has such an exciting driver line-up with seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher teaming up with emerging star Nico Rosberg and they will undoubtedly deliver Monster’s ‘Go Big’ message to the hundreds of millions of fans around the world that follow every race. The team’s competitive approach and commitment to achieving success is a perfect fit for Monster Energy as we continue to expand internationally.”
Mercedes GP – Qualifying in Bahrain
March 13, 2010 by Christine
Filed under Press Releases
Qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix got underway at 14:00 this afternoon to begin the competitive track action for the nineteen-race 2010 Formula One season.
The MERCEDES GP PETRONAS pairing of Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher progressed through the first two sessions of qualifying before taking to the track again for a highly-competitive final session.
Nico and Michael completed just one run in Q3, using the softer compound option tyre, and qualified in fifth and seventh positions respectively for tomorrow’s 49-lap race.
NICO ROSBERG
“To be honest, we were hoping for a bit more today although we were lacking the pace to challenge right at the front so I guess we should not be too disappointed. It was so difficult out there with the tyres overheating. If you made a small mistake and got oversteer, then you lost a lot of grip for the next few corners. It’s going to be very important to look after the tyres tomorrow in the race. Overall it’s a good start for me and with a bit of luck, we should be able to challenge for a podium place tomorrow.”
MICHAEL SCHUMACHER
“I am satisfied with seventh place today having been away from Formula One for such a long time. By coincidence, it’s the same grid position that I had when I started my career at Spa in 1991. It was fun to work with my new team and I appreciate all their efforts to support me as I get back into the swing of things. The boys are really good and I feel that we’ve improved step-by-step over the weekend. I’m looking forward to the race and I expect even more to come.”
ROSS BRAWN
“It was a reasonable qualifying session today although we hoped for more after this morning’s practice. The balance of the car suffered between practice and qualifying, possibly due to the increasing track temperatures, and we lost some pace as a result. Nico drove very well today in all sessions and Michael, taking part in his first qualifying session since 2006, is getting back into the rhythm as he gets more miles in the car.”
NORBERT HAUG
“Not a bad start to the first race weekend for MERCEDES GP PETRONAS in achieving fifth and seventh position in our first qualifying session. I think we looked stronger this morning – and it is our target to be better again during tomorrows race. Nico has done a great job since lap one of the weekend and Michael, who is starting his first Formula One race after three and a half years, is one place ahead of reigning World Champion Jenson Button. The race tomorrow will be extremely tough for the drivers, the cars and their engines and we hope to be well prepared for the battle.”
Formula 1 is Back, and 2010 is Go!
Whilst browsing through the available photographs for our required Free Practice schedule, we realised there are just too many good ones to narrow it down to one.
Instead, we’ve selected our ten favourite photographs from today in an F1 Minute special. Highlighting several moments that made the day fascinating, the photographs take you from posed portraits to raw speed out on track. Enjoy this F1 Big Picture – 2010 is Go Special.
- The Class of 2010 – every single driver who will be on the grid on Sunday poses for a photo.
- I’m Still Standing – Rubens prepares himself for the task ahead.
- Bruno Meet Bahrain – Bruno Senna, and Hispania Racing, make their Formula One debut.
- Let’s Get This Party Started – Lucas di Grassi is pleased to have got the weekend underway.
- Grumpy Old Men – Michael Schumacher gets used to the way F1 is now.
- Whole Lotta Laps for Liuzzi – Tonio gets plenty of running in for his first day of work in-season.
- With Finland Behind Him – Heikki flys the flag for Finland and gets off to a good start with Lotus.
- Glock ‘n Roll – Timo Glock holds off a Sauber. Probably not the last time he’ll have to do that.
- Many Massa Returns – Felipe makes a welcome return to the cockpit of the red car.
- The Boys are Back in Town – Smiling faces in the paddock, but how long will that last for?
I hope you enjoy this special set of Free Practice photos, look out for more F1 photo goodness as the season progresses.
Grumpy Old Men
March 12, 2010 by Christine
Filed under F1 Big Picture
A ten-part F1 Big Picture series celebrating the return of F1 in Bahrain. Michael Schumacher sits in the car awaiting some Free Practice action. The talk of the paddock was how uncomfortable Schumi seemed – having been denied a request to switch sides of the garage, and finishing tenth in the first practice session. He and Rosberg both improved for FP2, though, finishing 3rd and 1st respectively.
Credit: Mercedes GP Petronas
12-Mar-10: Sutil and Rosberg Lead the Way in Free Practice
March 12, 2010 by Christine
Filed under Daily F1 News
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Welcome to F1 Minute, it’s the 12th March 2010.
F1 has finally returned and Free Practice 1 and 2 are complete. The drivers descended on the Bahrain International Track, well, most of them did. In FP1, Sutil topped the session, followed by Alonso and Kubica. Rosberg was 8th whilst Schumacher was 10th, amid suggestions that he was not at all comfortable in the car yet. Further back, neither di Grassi nor Senna set a time, although it was quite a moment when Senna began his installation lap, making both his and Hispania’s debut. Chandhok did not leave the garage at all, his car wasn’t ready. For FP2, his car still remained stuck in the garage, leaving the Indian with no laps completed at all. Rosberg was fastest at the end of the day, followed by Hamilton and Schumacher. We only had one major spin from Alguersuari who narrowly missed the barriers, but continued on his way unharmed.
That’s all for today. Don’t forget F1 Minute goes seven days a week now the season has begun, so I will be back tomorrow with all the news from qualifying.
Mercedes GP – Nico & Michael Get Bahrain Grand Prix Practice Underway
March 12, 2010 by Christine
Filed under Press Releases
The first practice sessions for the 2010 Formula One season got underway today in the searing heat of the desert at the Bahrain International Circuit. Taking to the track in the new Silver Arrows cars, the MERCEDES GP PETRONAS pairing of Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher began their preparations for the first Grand Prix of the season.
The ninety-minute morning session gave both drivers the opportunity to try out the revised circuit layout with its eight new corners for the first time as they completed initial installation and set-up work on the MGP W01 cars. With both drivers experiencing some balance issues, the team worked hard on the solutions during the break and enjoyed a more positive second session, focusing on further set-up developments and tyre comparisons over runs of varying length.
Nico completed 38 laps over the course of the two sessions, setting a quickest time of 1:55.409 to top the timesheets. Michael completed 39 laps with a quickest time of 1:55.903 and finished in third position.
The pair will be back in action tomorrow morning for the final practice hour before qualifying begins at 14:00 local time.
NICO ROSBERG
“We improved the car over the course of the day but it didn’t feel great initially with the new track, lower downforce and the conditions were very sandy this morning. So we had a few balance issues to work on but it came together very well this afternoon. There are areas where we can still improve but we have a good comparison with the tyre compounds and on the long runs. Overall we learnt a great deal today so it’s a positive start to the weekend.”
MICHAEL SCHUMACHER
“We worked very well this afternoon after having a few issues with the balance this morning. The car felt much better in the second session although I am still a little rusty on one lap runs and need to get back into the routine. On the long runs, the car felt good and once you get into the rhythm, it feels very natural. I’m happy with our work today and feeling ready for the weekend.”
ROSS BRAWN
“After the development and testing work over the winter months, it was good to see the cars in action here in Bahrain today. We worked well to overcome some initial balance concerns which Nico and Michael experienced and achieved some very valuable work this afternoon. I feel we still need to make some progress so we need to wait and see how we will match up to our competitors when qualifying gets underway tomorrow.”
NORBERT HAUG
“The afternoon session went better than the first one this morning. We ran through our planned programme and the team, Nico and Michael got a good understanding of the two different tyre compounds. It looks like we are heading in the right direction but it is definitely too early to say how everybody will perform in tomorrows first qualifying session of the new season and on Sunday during the race. I expect very strong competitors.”
Way Back When…
March 9, 2010 by Mr. C
Filed under F1 Big Picture
Michael Schumacher drives the Bahrain International Circuit back in 2006, the last time the track held the opening round of the Formula One World Championship. It also marks the last time Schumacher raced an F1 car in the desert, back when grooved tyres were all the rage and cigarette advertising had yet to be banned.
Michael returns to the track this year after a three year absence, this time at the wheel of his Mercedes MGP W01.
