29-Oct-08: Mallya Will Reveal Force India Engine Supplier Soon
Welcome to F1 Minute for the 29th October 2008.
In his preview quotes ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix this weekend, Force India owner Vijay Mallya admitted that they would be revealing their engine supplier for next season very soon. He said: “I will make sure that my team has the best solution for engine, drivetrain and KERS possible so we can get a good head start and try to get the points that have eluded us so far this season.” He also mentioned that the lack of points was disappointing, because he knows the team are improving, but says it’s because they are concentrating on 2009.
This comes on top of Ron Dennis’ thoughts on the subject a few days ago. He said that discussions with Force India were still on track, despite the standard engine concerns: “So far we are not in a binding commitment on either side. We are very open to trying to achieve our goal, which is not to make money or lose money, but to be an absolute supporter of one of the independent teams - who are not the lifeblood of F1 but an essential ingredient of F1.”
That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
20-Sep-08: Ron Dennis Believes in the International Court of Appeal
This is F1 Minute and it’s the 20th September 2008.
Ron Dennis has said he has absolute faith in the International Court of Appeal, who are due to meet on Monday to discuss the Belgium penalty against Lewis Hamilton. When asked if he thinks there is a bias against anyone other than Ferrari, Dennis said: “Although Lewis has had five penalties already this season, I wouldn’t claim that he hasn’t been treated fairly. More importantly, we have to have faith in the system, and in the fairness of the FIA International Court of Appeal at which our appeal will be heard.”
Elsewhere, other teams are looking forward as well, although the Singapore Grand Prix seems to be at the forefront of their minds. BMW boss Mario Theissen thinks it is going to be something to behold: “You only need to think of the special atmosphere you get at a football match under floodlights: the surroundings melt into the background, the action itself takes centre stage. I’m expecting this premiere in Singapore to be the highlight of the year.”
That’s all for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
18-Sep-08: Vettel Leads Day 3 at Jerez Test
Welcome to F1 Minute for the 18th September 2008.
Vettel led the way at testing in Jerez today, still in the Red Bull car. He posted the fastest time despite only managing 37 laps due to an engine change. BMW were second, and Renault third. There was some rain in the middle of the day, which disrupted quite a few of the team’s programmes.
Someone in particular who was affected by the weather, was Takuma Sato who returned to Formula 1 for a test with Toro Rosso. He completed just under 50 laps and was 6th out of 8 runners. Afterwards, he said: “Although I couldn’t complete the day due to the weather conditions, I really enjoyed driving the STR3. I would like to say a big thank you to Red Bull and to the team for giving me this great opportunity.” What he doesn’t say is: Please give me a race seat next year.
Elsewhere today, Ron Dennis has issued some fighting talk, saying that McLaren are confident to do well at every circuit left on the calendar this year, and he feels they’re closing in on the constructor’s title at every stage.
That’s it for today, please join me again tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
16-Sep-08: Final In-Season Test Gets Underway at Jerez
This is F1 Minute for the 16th September.
The final in-season test of 2008 has started at Jerez, with BMW, Williams and Honda turning up for the first day. The teams tested three young drivers: Marko Asmer finished the day on top for BMW, followed by Dani Clos for Williams and Mike Conway for Honda. Both Williams and Honda tested out the new KERS technology, but Honda only managed 20 laps whilst the others completed over 70 each.
Elsewhere today, Ron Dennis has been talking about his team’s relationship with Ferrari, and says things have never been better, despite last year’s spy scandal, and the Belgium penalty incident. Dennis spoke out to put pay to rumours that there might be trouble within the FOTA, and of new chairman di Montezemolo, he said: “Luca is an old friend. Granted, inevitably, our relationship has had its ups and downs as a result of the competitiveness of our respective organisations, but there’s a deep and mutual respect between us.”
That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
26-Aug-08: Ferrari Knew of Raikkonen Engine Failure Threat
It’s the 26th August 2008 and you’re listening to F1 Minute.
Ferrari have confirmed that the engine breakdown Raikkonen suffered at the European Grand Prix this weekend was the same problem that Massa had in Hungary. In fact, they’ve admitted that they knew the problem existed but took the risk of breaking down instead of changing the engine and accepting the grid penalty.
The official statement read: “The engineers were aware of a potential risk in general terms with the 056 engine fitted to Kimi’s car, which was on its second race, given that the con rods were part of the same batch used on Felipe’s engine. Changing the engine on Kimi’s car would have seen the Finn start from far down the grid at a track where it appeared that overtaking was impossible, proving it’s not enough to bring Formula One to a street circuit in a fantastic location to produce spectacular racing.”
Even though Raikkonen retired from the race, McLaren boss Ron Dennis has said he still counts the Finn as a championship threat, and he hasn’t written him off just yet.
That’s all for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
12-Aug-08: Rosberg to Stay at Williams in 2009
It’s the 12th August 2008, and you’re listening to F1 Minute.
Nico Rosberg has added his name to the growing list of drivers who will be staying put in 2009. Rosberg says his future is with Williams, for next year, at least, and puts his decision down to feeling very comfortable within the team.
Rosberg has also been discussing the upcoming Valencian Grand Prix, and says that practice is going to be really important for all the teams to get as many laps in as possible. He says: “We’ll really be taking a guess on the set-up from what we know of other street tracks, and then take it step by step through the weekend. So it’s very important to keep the car on the track because if you crash, you lose a lot of time that the others will spend working on it.”
Finally, Ron Dennis has announced that from next year, he will be rotating the McLaren staff that travel to Grands Prix, to give them more of a break. He blames the expanding calendar for 2009, and the lack of a three week summer break.
That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
14-May-08: Hamilton Tops Timesheets on Day 1 at Paul Ricard
Today is the 14th May, welcome to F1 Minute.
The teams kicked off a three day test at the Paul Ricard circuit today, with Lewis Hamilton taking the initial lead. He posted the quickest time after completing the smallest number of laps. He was followed by Raikkonen in the Ferrari and Kubica was third fastest in the BMW.
Vettel got to drive the STR3 for the first time today, after Bourdais debuted it during the last test, and subsequently crashed it into the wall. Vettel finished the day in the middle of the timesheets, although he did cause one red flag during the day.
The other red flag came from Renault driver Luca di Grassi, who finished the day as the slowest driver on track.
Williams tested out a new piece of aerodynamics - trying out the engine cover fin as previously seen on the Red Bull and the Renault. And Honda were testing new variations on their dumbo-ears at the front of the car.
Elsewhere today, the Czech official who suggested Ron Dennis may have brought about the release of the Max Mosley video has apologised to McLaren.
That’s it for now, please join me again tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
01-May-08: Ron Dennis Denies Mosley Set-Up
Welcome to F1 Minute, today is the 1st May 2008.
The Max Mosley saga rumbles on, this time with speculation increasing that Ron Dennis may have had some involvement with the story being leaked to the press. The head of the Czech Automobile Association stated his belief that Ron Dennis may have been getting revenge for the spy scandal last year, saying the Mosley revelations were a set-up. Dennis, however, has denied any such allegation, saying: “We are writing to Mr Novak and are currently considering the appropriate route via which the remarks that have been attributed to him may be withdrawn or corrected.” Another war of words begins, it seems.
Elsewhere today, recent Indy-Car winner Danica Patrick has said she would love to have a test drive with one of the Formula 1 teams, and Honda have stepped up as an interested party. Honda currently supply her engines, so the link is already there. Nick Fry commented: “We haven’t instigated anything, but if Danica wanted to be test driver then we’d be more than happy to talk about it.”
That’s all for today, please join me again tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
27-Apr-08: Ferrari Take 1-2, Whilst Kovalainen Crashes in Spain
It’s the 27th April and this is F1 Minute.
From pole position to the chequered flag, Kimi Raikkonen won a relatively easy race at the Circuit de Catalunya, and was joined on the podium by Felipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton. Alonso lost out a place on the start but was keeping up with the front runners. Unfortunately he had an engine failure about halfway through the race and had to retire in front of his home crowd.
The big news of the weekend was for Heikki Kovalainen, though, who suffered a wheel failure at 150mph and crashed into the tyre barriers. The car seemed to be heavily embedded in the tyre wall, and the safety car was brought out whilst the situation was cleared up. Kovalainen was stretchered to the medical centre, giving the thumbs up to the crowd as he went, and later airlifted to hospital for further checks. Ron Dennis has told reporters that all the scans are clear, and Heikki has suffered only a concussion, after losing consciousness at the scene for a moment. He’ll stay in hospital overnight and Dennis is confident he’ll be cleared to race in Turkey.
That’s all for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
07-Apr-08: Ferrari Believe Kubica May Be Their Main Threat
Today is the 7th April, and this is F1 Minute.
After featuring on the podium for all three races of 2008 so far, BMW are looking to be a strong contender for the championship this year. At least, that’s what Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali thinks, saying today that Kubica is a driver to watch out for. Domenicali also said that although McLaren appear to be struggling they shouldn’t be written off just yet.
Meanwhile, Ron Dennis has weighed in on the subject admitting that for McLaren, BMW are not a worry for the future. He said: “I think that we respect all competitors and they’re doing a better job than they’ve done at any other time in their involvement in F1. But it is when we get to Europe that the R&D and speed of manufacture starts to make a difference.”
At least everyone agrees it will be a tight race to the title, everyone, that is, except Alonso. He’s again reiterated that he’s not expecting to fight for the podium this year, and in response Renault have promised him an updated aero package and well, basically, a better car.
That’s all for today, join me again tomorrow for another F1 Minute.