23-Apr-08: Heidfeld Thanks The Team In Munich
Hi everyone, welcome to F1 Minute for the 23rd April.
Nick Heidfeld was at the BMW factory in Munich today to say thank you for the hard work that’s been going on. He didn’t just say thanks and sign autographs, though, he drove the F1 car in a demonstration, did a couple of donuts and brought the factory to a halt for an entire 45 minutes. Heidfeld said: “It is nice to give the workforce something back. I lost track of how many hands I was shaking.”
Patrick Head has finally admitted what we’ve all known for a long time, that Nakajima’s signing to Williams was at the request of engine supplier Toyota. Head said that although Toyota had some influence over Rosberg’s teammate signing, they wouldn’t have picked Kazuki if they didn’t think he was good enough. He does admit though: “It’s true, Kazuki has made some mistakes, but he also has learned from them, and has great potential, and I think that is what really matters.”
Finally, today, we have an early weather forecast for the weekend: showers are predicted for both Saturday and Sunday, but even if it doesn’t rain, temperatures will be much lower than F1 usually finds in Barcelona.
That’s all for today, join me again tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
11-Mar-08: Patrick Head Suggests Reverse Grids
Today is the 11th March 2008, I’m Christine and this is F1 Minute.
Co-owner of Williams, Patrick Head has ruffled feathers today by speculating on what can be done to F1 to make it more exciting. He is suggesting that reversing the grid will promote overtaking and encourage different strategies. Head says the FIA have to be a little bit more adventurous with their plans for mixing things up, although he does admit that his ideas will upset F1 purists.
Ron Dennis has apparently told his staff at the Technology Centre that he will not be quitting his role as head of the team. Speculation has been circulating but just before jetting off to Melbourne Dennis assured his staff that he won’t be stepping down. In the last few days, though, he has been quoted as saying he’ll decide when it’s time to quit, and there are other things he wants to do in life besides F1.
In other McLaren news, Flavio Briatore has had a dig at Lewis Hamilton, saying he wasn’t much of a team player in 2007 and his feud with Alonso is the main reason McLaren lost the championship.
That’s all for today, join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
05-Mar-08: Massa Happy Alonso Won’t be a Threat this Year
It’s the 5th March and this is F1 Minute.
Felipe Massa has spoken about his championship rivals for this year, saying that he believes his main competitors will be Raikkonen and Hamilton. Of Alonso, Massa said he was glad he’s back at Renault because he doesn’t think they will be in a particularly challenging position this year.
President of Ferrari, Luca di Montezemolo has had a subtle dig at McLaren, saying he is hoping for and expecting the 2008 championship to be much less exciting. Not in terms of racing, of course, but without the high court drama and James Bond style espionage antics.
Patrick Head, co-owner of Williams has been talking about his hopes for this season, saying they never design a car to be fourth, but want it to be the best it can be. He is reasonably confident that Williams can be a regular visitor to the podium this year.
Finally, in somewhat F1-related news, a glass building collapsed at the Valencia circuit where teams often test through the winter. No one was seriously injured, but a World Series by Renault test was halted and the building evacuated.
That’s all for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.