27-Nov-09: Force India Confirm Sutil and Liuzzi for 2010
November 27, 2009 by Christine
Filed under Daily F1 News
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This is F1 Minute for the 27th November 2009.
Lots of news today, starting with the fact that Force India have confirmed Liuzzi and Sutil for 2010. The team will be running the same drivers they finished this season with in an attempt to keep some consistency and continue their upward trend. Mallya says: “I am sure we have one of the most dynamic line-ups on the grid and I hope this will stand us in good stead in what we all hope will be a transitional year for the team.”
Elsewhere, BMW have confirmed they will sell the team back to original owner Peter Sauber, who will buy on condition that they have a grid slot for 2010. This is by no means an easy feat as they don’t at the moment, but it is a piece of good news for the team after the Qadbak investment fell through.
Finally, Renault have announced their young drivers for next week’s test in the shape of Renault 3.5 champ Bertrand Baguette, test driver Lucas di Grassi and China’s Ho-Pin Tung.
That’s all for now, have a fabulous weekend, and I’ll be back on Monday with another F1 Minute.
06-Oct-09: Theissen Concerned About BMW’s Future
October 6, 2009 by Christine
Filed under Daily F1 News
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Today is the 6th October 2009, and this is F1 Minute.
The team formerly known as BMW are now facing a shaky future in the sport, as they were hoping for unanimous agreement from the existing teams for a 14th slot on the grid to be opened up for them. They didn’t get it. Vice-chairman of FOTA, John Howett, said the organisation did discuss the subject during a meeting ahead of Sunday’s race, but they decided it was an individual team decision rather than an association one.
It has also emerged that the Qadbak company who have invested in the team are under investigation by the Football Association for their involvement with Notts County, and one of their top people had assets seized by the court.
Mario Theissen says these things are making life difficult, as they are trying to talk to sponsors and drivers, and an uncertain future doesn’t exactly entice them along. The FIA will have to make their decision soon over the 14th place, and Theissen says they are waiting.
That’s all for now, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
BMW AG reaches agreement with investor on sale of the BMW Sauber F1 Team
September 15, 2009 by Christine
Filed under Press Releases
Munich/Hinwil, 15th September 2009. BMW AG, based in Munich, Germany, is pleased to announce today that Qadbak Investments Ltd, a Swiss-based foundation which represents the interests of certain Middle East and European based families, has agreed to purchase the BMW Sauber F1 Team, based in Hinwil, Switzerland. The contract was signed today (Tuesday).
A strong investor has therefore been found for the Hinwil-based team. Qadbak´s interest in the team will be represented by Lionel Fischer, a Swiss national.
BMW wishes Qadbak and the Sauber Team every success for the 2010 season and beyond.
15-Sep-09: Lotus F1 Get 13th Grid Slot
September 15, 2009 by Christine
Filed under Daily F1 News
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Today is the 15th September and this is F1 Minute.
The FIA have announced that the Lotus F1 Team will take the 13th place on the grid next year, with the company not the old Lotus but actually a partnership with the Malaysian government and businesses. The FIA did say they had reviewed the BMW application and found it impressive but they were concerned about the uncertain future of the team.
As it turns out, BMW announced they had found a buyer today, in the form of Qadbak Investments – a Swiss company who will take over for 2010.
Given this, the FIA are thinking about expanding the grid to 14 teams to allow for the ex-BMW team as well.
The FIA have been busy today as it has emerged that Pat Symonds of Renault has been given immunity by the governing body if he answers all their questions about what happened in Singapore last year. We don’t know whether he has accepted the offer or not.
That’s all for now, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
