28-Nov-07: The Incredibly Popular Force India
This is F1 Minute for the 28th November 2007.
Given all the McLaren headlines of late, you would think they are the team everyone wants to join. But it looks like Force India are giving them a run for their money, with no less than seven drivers hoping for a race drive.
Among the many are Ralf Schumacher, Giancarlo Fisichella, Christian Klien, Tonio Liuzzi and Franck Montagny. Force India have confirmed that Schumacher and Fisichella will each get a full day of testing in Jerez next week, to assess potential for the spare seat alongside Adrian Sutil. Liuzzi and Klien are both testing for the second time for the team, having been called back from Barcelona.
Current test drivers Roldan Rodriguez and Giedo van der Garde make up the seven interested parties, although neither of them have any race experience within Formula 1. With such big names fighting for a place in a small team, an interesting post over on the International Herald Tribune blog points out that many drivers race for the love of it, rather than simply to win. And apparently, they also get their travel and food expenses for the test paid for them.
That’s all for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
13-Nov-07: Schumacher Fastest on Day One at Barcelona
I’m Christine from Sidepodcast and this is F1 Minute for the 13th November.
The first day of testing in Barcelona took place today, and Michael Schumacher marked his return to the Ferrari team in style. Topping the timesheets over fellow Ferrari driver Luca Badoer and de la Rosa in the McLaren, Schumacher proved he’s still got what it takes despite not having driven for a year.
Most drivers were concentrating on 2008 rules and regulations, such as taking the traction control off, and some had better days than others. Jarno Trulli was not well, suffering from a fever, and his misery continued with an engine problem towards the end of the session.
The Force India team hit the track for the first time with their new name, but test drivers Giedo van der Garde and Roldan Rodriguez finished bottom of the timesheets. Indian driver Karun Chandok debuted in the Red Bull but only finished slightly above the Team India boys after completing 39 laps.
Both BMW drivers were practicing without traction control and Kubica thoroughly beat Heidfeld in 4th position to his team mates 10th.
That’s all for today but I’ll have more news from testing on tomorrow’s F1 Minute.