Quotes Roundup - Week Ending 14th Dec

The very best from the mouths of those in the know.

More Reaction on Honda

The sport is still coming to terms with Honda’s exit…

• “It’s a great team and a great team of people, but it’s a salutary lesson for the whole of F1 that things are going to have to change, and everything is going to have to come back a little bit if the whole sport is to prosper in the future - which I am sure it will do.” David Richards
• “It’s a shame. It was a surprise for me and for most of the people in the paddock because Honda has been in Formula One for a long time and is one of the biggest teams in F1. But it was not an easy decision for them to make and hopefully no more teams make the same decision.” Fernando Alonso
• “My way of thinking is that if this team does happen in 2009, we will be very strong. I’m sure there would be other options to race in F1, but very limited, because it’s so late in the day. So it is a difficult decision to make. But at the moment I’m completely focused on working with the team to try to find someone to buy it - that has to be my best option for 2009.” Nick Fry

Talk of 2009

• “I think in the end the tyres will work well, but it takes time to get used to them. In general I prefer slick tyres, but if I think back at the grooved tyres, thanks to the competition between Michelin and Bridgestone they became very good. When we moved to a single supplier, the push from competition ended. So it’s better to wait and see.” Kimi Raikkonen
• “I am very positive actually. We have got a lot of exciting things coming through to the car - some of them from new regulations and some of them which are things we were working on anyway. So I am feeling very optimistic actually.” Paddy Lowe, McLaren Director of Engineering
• “It looks like we got back to 1995 or something! It is pretty strange the shape of the cars. To be honest, the car we are using now is much more beautiful compared to what we are going to use next year. But that’s the rules and we’re going to try to do the best we can. The shape of the car is going to be the same for everybody.” Felipe Massa

Mosley’s New Rules

• “I would hate anyone to think that we want Formula One to lose sight of one of its main objectives, which is to remain the pinnacle of motor racing technology. If properly managed the regulations will ensure that this continues to be the case.” Max Mosley
• “As an organization we have a very clear view of what drives costs and we have a very clear view on how to manage and control them, so I am confident that we can and will survive the recession. Simply put, we will have to make less resource go much further and I predict that the motorsport supply base will be the hardest hit as teams do less and in-source much more.” John Howett
• “Extending the points-paying positions to the top eight by reducing the difference between first and second was a mistake, but I’m against changing the points system too often. It disorientates people.” Max Mosley

Quotes Roundup - Week Ending 7th Dec

The very best from the mouths of those in the know.

Honda’s Exit

The manufacturer took everyone, including themselves, by surprise…

• “It’s a real shame and I feel deeply sorry for Jenson Button. We had no choice in the current financial conditions.” Takeo Fukui, CEO Honda
• “I think Formula One is in no bigger crisis than any other company throughout the world. The world is in crisis at the moment, but it won’t stop - the world won’t stop, that’s for sure.” Bernie Ecclestone
• “We have to have credible interest this side of Christmas. Clearly that doesn’t mean we are going to have a deal done by the end of the year, but Honda need to be convinced that there are serious, potential buyers out there. If that is the case then we are funded through January and February - so right up until Melbourne.” Nick Fry

The FOTA Get Organises

An upcoming meeting with Max, and they want a word with Bernie…

• “In the short run we’ll organise a meeting with Max Mosley to present him the details of our proposals and to discuss with him how to improve the show our sport offers. Furthermore we also agreed that it’s necessary to meet with Bernie Ecclestone to talk about the distribution as far as the earnings are concerned.” Luca di Montezemolo
• “FOTA wishes that the technologically advanced expertise of the team based in Brackley is not dispersed and that the sporting challenge is resumed soon.” Statement regarding Honda
• “The teams had previously unanimously agreed measures that will significantly reduce costs in 2009. In today’s meeting the teams have agreed to further measures implementing substantial cost cutting for 2009 and 2010, and additional initiatives to improve the show.”Statement

2009 Ambitions

It’s a difficult time for F1 at the moment, but some still dream of the new season…

• “I’ve learnt a lot about what it takes to be a Formula One driver, but there’s always still more to learn. To get better results than I did this year and to maybe get a podium. That would be really great.” Kazuki Nakajima
• “BMW kept its schedule that was set in 2005 after acquiring Sauber: to be in the points in 2006, to be on the podium in 2007, to be on the top podium 2008. We made the two-way title campaign a three-way battle in the first half of the season. We did not have the fastest car in 2008, but the overall package counts.” Mario Theissen
• “My target and the team’s is the title. It’s a very clear goal, although it may have to be altered as the year goes on. But here, today, in December, the goal is very clear.” Fernando Alonso

Quotes Roundup - Week Ending 30th Nov

The very best from the mouths of those in the know.

Toro Rosso Buyout

In which Dietrich Mateschitz regains full control…

• “Dietrich’s interest will focus on Red Bull Racing, therefore the support for STR will become smaller and prevent the team from improving further from sixth. I don’t want to decline, that is not in my nature.”Gerhard Berger
• “I am very grateful to Gerhard for his huge input. Together we turned Toro Rosso into a team that qualified on a regular basis in the top 10 and collected world championship points.” Dietrich Mateschitz
• “I will be out of STR, but the split with STR and Dietrich is completely amicable and there was no rift between us.” Gerhard Berger

The Medal Proposal

Bernie says it will be introduced in 2009…

• “All the teams are happy. The whole reason for this was that I was fed up with people talking about no overtaking. The reason there’s no overtaking is nothing to do with the circuit or the people involved, it’s to do with the drivers not needing to overtake.” Bernie Ecclestone
• “The points are necessary. I was one of the team principals in the team principals’ meetings who advocated that the points should go down to eighth place, because one point to a team down there is as important as a win is to the likes of McLaren and Ferrari, and we must never forget that.” Eddie Jordan
• “There are a lot of people who have ridiculed this suggestion, and honestly I have to admit at first that I thought the stress of divorce had got to him. But I think he actually has a point. Like him, I think the winner of the most races in a season should automatically be the world champion.” Jos Verstappen

Circuits Planning Ahead

Although many are pulling out of the calendar, some are thinking to the future…

• “This will be the first public transport Grand Prix. We are not bringing cars here. We are looking to use public transport from all the major conurbations, the airport and the Parkway station.” Simon Gillett, chief executive of Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd
• “With Bahrain at the start of the year and Abu Dhabi at the season finale there are many projects on which we can work together to attract more spectators, corporate clients and sponsors to both the region’s races.” Zayed Alzayani, Bahrain circuit boss
• “We think Formula One is a very good product, a very good event for Shanghai city so at least from our company’s point of view we want to continue promoting and building the event. Research shows there are more and more race fans in China, so I don’t think we will say no to the Formula One Grand Prix.” General Manager of Event Management at Shanghai

Quotes Roundup - Week Ending 23rd Nov

The very best from the mouths of those in the know.

Testing out the 2009 Spec

We’re not the only ones who don’t like it…

• “I never saw such a sexy car.” Christian Klien
• “Considering this is Formula One - if people think the introduction of KERS and the reduction in downforce and slicks is going to transform Formula One, then forget it. It will still be a wide car, there will still be aerodynamic effect and offline will stay dirty. It will be easier, but it won’t be MotoGP. And people need to understand that.” Pedro de la Rosa
• “Obviously the set-up is far from ideal, especially on my car as I was focusing mainly on the KERS systems. We’re still having quite a few problems there, but at least we have it in the car.” Nick Heidfeld

The New Boys

We saw some fresh faces in Barcelona, but here’s what they thought…

• “Driving a Formula One car is really, really nice. And I was enjoying myself more and more each lap. Pushing harder and harder makes you find the edge and when the laptime comes from your effort that’s pretty good.” Bruno Senna
• “You can’t compare F1 to rallying, they are so different. It’s not true that rallying is more of a comfort zone, because when I am flat-out on the stages I am concentrating just as hard as I was today.” Sebastien Loeb
• “I only had a big curiosity to know. Well, I’m more and more convinced that with a bit of time I could have become a good F1 driver. It only remains to be seen how good, whether good enough to win or not.” Valentino Rossi

Bernie’s Corner

Three separate stories concerning Mr Ecclestone this week…

• “Given Mr and Mrs Ecclestone were reputed to be worth £2.4bn in the 2008 Rich List, this case may see the highest award to a wife in legal history.” Simon Bethel, family law specialist
• “Everybody understands gold medals and silver and bronze. Nearly all sports are done that way. The whole point will be, when they get to Melbourne for the first race, the guys will want to leave there with a gold medal.” Bernie Ecclestone
• “I think it’s almost certain that there will not be a grand prix in 2010. I always thought the Disney site was the right place for us, the new location that would suit the French Grand Prix. There’s a lot of infrastructure in place, the trains go there, everyone would know it – it was perfect.” Bernie Ecclestone

Quotes Roundup - Week Ending 16th Nov

The very best from the mouths of those in the know.

The Force India / McLaren Partnership

On what that deal means for the team, and the sport…

• “Force India Formula One team has been in existence for only one year, and inevitably our first season has constituted a learning period. But we said at the outset that we meant business and were not interested in merely making up the numbers.” Dr. Vijay Mallya
• “I would love to see a Force India car on the podium in the inaugural Indian grand Prix. Obviously that has to be a core objective as well. Now that is in 2011 and I say why not? I’m sure Martin would love to see a Force India and a McLaren racing each other” Dr. Vijay Mallya
• “We are going to learn lessons by looking over the shoulder of Force India. I believe that we will become stronger as a consequence of this. I would not have gone into this partnership unless I believed it was going to help us to win world championships in the future.” Martin Whitmarsh

Ongoing Circuit News

Canada and China both worry about the future, Singapore doesn’t…

• “We’re doing the assessment. By next year we should be able to give you an answer. We want to create a win-win situation, for our side and for Bernie and the F1 organisers as well. If this is something we can do, and our cooperation is very happy and smooth, we will consider it.” Qiu Weichang, deputy director of the Shanghai Administration of Sports
• “We need to know if we’re going to have a Grand Prix in 2009. We’re trying to find a proposal that will meet with the approval of Bernie Ecclestone and his board of directors. He’s not interested in where the money’s going to come from, he just wants to get the money to which he thinks he’s entitled.” Gerald Tremblay, Montreal Mayor
• “We have received a great many compliments from around the world since the running of the race in September, but this is an award given by our peers, the professionals who work in motor sports. It therefore is especially gratifying to receive this award.” Jonathan Hallett, Singapore GP’s media director

Upcoming Test Drivers

We’re going to see a few new names on the timesheets in Barcelona…

• “Going back to Enstone will be very special for me. I often used to go and train there when I was on the Renault Driver Development programme. So I’ll be seeing people I already know. That will help me to integrate into the team more easily.” Giedo van der Garde
• “To have this opportunity is a dream. Even though I’ve been racing for only four years, it’s as if I’ve waited for ten years to drive an F1 car. I’ve worked hard in preparing for it, on the neck particularly. GP2 in any case is a good basis.” Bruno Senna
• “I don’t expect Barcelona to be easy at all: it’s the first time that I will be testing against the regular drivers in Formula One, so that’s obviously going to be interesting!” Sebastien Loeb

Quotes Roundup - Week Ending 9th Nov

The very best from the mouths of those in the know.

Reactions to the Brazilian Grand Prix

On the closest Formula 1 championship finish…

• “In all my years in Formula One, I haven’t seen such an incredibly exciting finish to a championship. I always said that we’d be fighting until the last corner of the last Grand Prix and that’s exactly what happened at the end of a brilliantly tense competition.” Luca di Montezemolo
• “He is great. Lewis went out there to win the title and he has won it. I believe the finale was amazing - but congratulations to Lewis. It was fantastic for the sport. It was fantastic for the television and an amazing finish.” Flavio Briatore
• “Both Felipe and Lewis are fantastic drivers to be honest. They have done the sport a credit, both of them, with their approach and their attitude. It is a shame that one of them had to lose as both did a great job.” Ross Brawn

Renault’s Driver Announcement

On the re-signing of Alonso and Piquet…

• “I have decided to stay with the ING Renault F1 team because, as I have often repeated this season, they have always been my first choice and I feel very happy and comfortable with them. It’s a very close-knit team with a competitive and winning mentality, and also a relaxed and warm attitude, which suits me perfectly.” Fernando Alonso
• “Although I have had a tough year, I have learned a lot from my rookie season and I will aim to put that experience to good use next season. I want to thank the team for their support this year and for the trust they have shown in me for the future.” Nelson Piquet Jr
• “This gives the ING Renault F1 Team one of the most exciting driver pairings with the perfect blend of youth and experience.” Flavio Briatore

Team Principals and Future Plans

On 2009 and beyond…

• “For me the reference point is BMW and the job they have done, it is pretty impressive. They have still to continue their climb but I think if we as a team achieve the competitiveness BMW manage to we will be quite pleased.” Ross Brawn
• “We have come a long way this season, but we need more and that requires some radical reorganisation of the management structure to ensure the maximum productivity. I would like to thank Colin Kolles for his tireless efforts in keeping such a small team alive and to Mike Gascoyne for bringing his wealth of technical expertise. Both have played an instrumental part in making the team what it is today.” Vijay Mallya
• “Formula One is set to experience the most significant rule changes in its history. Wide-reaching controls on aerodynamics systems will see the cars looking totally different in 2009, treadless tyres will be brought back and the totally new KERS technology introduced. “This may bring about shifts in the balance of power. This extremely challenging scenario does not alter our goal of fighting for the world championship title in 2009.” Mario Theissen

Honda - 2008 Brazilian GP: Qualifying

Rubens Barrichello will start his home Grand Prix from 15th position after maximising the performance of his RA108 in Q1 at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace. The Brazilian made it through to Q2 for the second consecutive race, while his Honda team-mate Jenson Button missed the cut by just 0.2s and will start tomorrow’s race from 17th place.

Sunshine over Sao Paulo increased the track temperature at Interlagos to 41 degrees, which helped the team to find more performance from the option tyres than had been the case in the cooler conditions of yesterday’s practice sessions. The drivers set up their cars to suit the conditions early in the session, before going on to improve their lap times significantly.

Rubens’ first flying lap of Q1 was 1:13.030s and he improved by more than 0.5s to set the 14th fastest time and progress into Q2.

Jenson completed three runs during Q1. His first lap was a 1:13.351s and he improved to a best time of 1:12.810s. Despite being only a second slower than Felipe Massa’s fastest time, it wasn’t quite enough to see him progress into the next part of qualifying.

Rubens was unable to achieve the same level of grip in Q2 and his best lap was 0.6s slower than he had managed in Q1 therefore he will line up on the eighth row of the grid.

RUBENS BARRICHELLO

Q. A great lap today to make Q2 for the second race in succession.
A. “I’m pleased that we were able to make it into the second qualifying session here in Interlagos today. We had a perfect lap on my second run in Q1 with the option tyres working really well. Unfortunately we couldn’t get the same grip level in Q2 and were really struggling with understeer. Despite tweaking the pressures to try and improve, we weren’t able to make any further progress. Without the understeer, I could have hoped for 14th or maybe even 13th but we were right on the limit of the car’s performance.”

JENSON BUTTON

Q. What issues did you face in qualifying today?
A. “The car was a definite improvement from practice this morning as I had much more front grip. Unfortunately I made a mistake on my second lap in turn 4, which cost me some time. We made some adjustments to the pressures to help the front end grip before my final run and we were able to go quicker but not by enough. In any case, my car stopped out on track on my in-lap.”

STEVE CLARK
Head of Race & Test Engineering

Q. How do you feel about the team’s qualifying performance today?
A. “Obviously we are very satisfied with Rubens getting through to Q2 for the second time in as many race weekends. Realistically he extracted the maximum from the car with the performance we have today and so this was, in his own words, a fantastic lap. For Jenson, the session was very tight and he didn’t quite have the balance to make it through. After progressing through to Q2, with an evolving track, we were just unable to get the balance back with the single set of options he had remaining.”

Q. What is the outlook for tomorrow’s race?
A. “The weather may well play a pivotal role in tomorrow’s race. Forecasts vary but rain seems extremely likely. From our grid positions, rain, and the chaos it brings, is not unwelcome for us as the conditions hand more responsibility to the driver and both of ours are extremely good in the wet.”

F1 Minute - Intro

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