19-Dec-08: McLaren Forsee End to Legal Proceedings
It’s the 19th December 2008 and you’re listening to F1 Minute.
We have two bits of good news to end the week on, starting with McLaren finally managing to put an end to the espionage legal proceedings. Former employee Mike Coughlan, and current engineer Paddy Lowe plus two others had charges levelled against them over the spy affair from last year. However, the four have now agreed to a settlement of about 150,000 Euros each and the charges will be dropped. With Ferrari, McLaren, and the FIA all agreeing the controversy was over already, this is the last piece of the puzzle for the Woking team.
Also today, the team formerly known as Honda have said they will reveal details of their potential buyers early next year, as things are moving along nicely. Nick Fry is feeling very optimistic: “Work on the development and build of our 2009 car continues during the next few weeks to ensure that our objective of being on the grid at Melbourne at the end of March will be achieved.”
That’s it for this week, I’ll be back on Monday with another F1 Minute.
14-Mar-08: Predictable Leaders for Australia Free Practice
Welcome to F1 Minute for the 14th March.
The 2008 season has officially begun! Kimi Raikkonen led the way in Free Practice 1, with Hamilton taking the honours during the second session. It’s worth pointing out that Mark Webber led for almost all of Free Practice 2, before Hamilton put in a flying lap with only a few minutes to spare. There was one red flag during the first session caused by Piquet, and Trulli spun off into the gravel during the second.
Mike Coughlan has had his contract with McLaren officially terminated, although details are still scarce due to legal reasons. It is thought that the FIA will make an announcement similar to that for Nigel Stepney, advising teams not to work with Coughlan for a period of time.
Pedro de la Rosa has been elected President of the Grand Prix Driver’s Association, replacing ex-Toyota driver Ralf Schumacher. De la Rosa said his main aim in the top job is to recruit younger drivers to the association.
And finally, a quick F1 Minute update. During race weekends, we’ll be going seven days a week, to cover all the news from Qualifying and the Race. Tune in tomorrow for the first ever Saturday edition of F1 Minute.
19-Feb-08: Rosberg is Top at a Wet Barcelona
Today is the 19th February 2008, and this is F1 Minute.
Teams faced a difficult test session in Barcelona today, with adverse weather conditions making things tricky. The track never completely dried up and only Red Bull, Williams, Renault and Toyota decided to run. Alonso pronounced the track too slippery, and Trulli said data comparison was hard when conditions keep changing. Nico Rosberg topped the timesheets, nearly 2 whole seconds faster than team mate Nakajima in second. There were four red flags throughout the day – two spins from Coulthard, one from Piquet, who also stopped on track in the morning.
Over at Valencia, BMW were working on their programme but could not complete everything they had planned. Kubica only completed 6 laps, and Heidfeld stuck to practicing pit stops. No times were issued.
Also today, we have learned a bit more about what Nigel Stepney said to the Italian magistrate regarding the espionage saga last year. He maintains he did not pass the information onto Coughlan, although they were in contact. His lawyer said Stepney is disappointed with Coughlan’s version of events.
That’s all for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
07-Feb-08: McLaren Four Called to Face Italian Questioning
Today is the 7th February 2008, and this is F1 Minute.
Ron Dennis, Mike Coughlan, Paddy Lowe and Martin Whitmarsh have all been called to appear before the Italian magistrate who is investigating the espionage affair from last year on behalf of Ferrari. McLaren have simply confirmed that their lawyers “received some papers from the Modena authorities which are currently being reviewed.” Ron Dennis is believed to be due at the meeting on the 18th February.
Pat Symonds has been speaking to Autosport magazine about the new car, and it’s chances. He said that last year’s car faced two separate issues – differences with data from the wind tunnel and the track, and the change from Michelin to Bridgestones. He believes that they’ve got those sorted now, and this year Renault will be back challenging for wins.
They all said their piece yesterday, and now the machinery to help them achieve their goals has been released. The Force India car for 2008 was unveiled in Mumbai today. The most significant things to gain from the launch are the colours, a white and gold livery, plus the prominent Kingfisher branding, Vijay Mallya’s own company.
That’s all for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.