04-Apr-08: Hamilton Crashes Out in Free Practice 2
Welcome to F1 Minute, today is the 4th April 2008.
The Bahrain Grand Prix weekend kicked off today with Free Practice. The first session was not as exciting as some we have seen, and the second looked to be heading the same way, until Lewis Hamilton hit a kerb halfway through a lap. The car spun round, slid over the sandy run off area and smashed into the barrier. Hamilton was unhurt, but the car was a little worse for wear.
The crash created such G-force, though, that Hamilton should have reported straight to the medical centre for a check-up. Hamilton was unaware of this fact, and it wasn’t until he got back to the pits that he was told of the mistake. He then went straight to the medical centre and received the all-clear. The stewards investigated the incident but decided that no penalty was necessary.
Elsewhere, the German motoring body ADAC and the Dutch motorsport federation KNAF have both said that Mosley needs to think very hard about his future at the FIA.
That’s all for today, don’t forget that we go seven days a week on race weekends, so I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
25-Jan-08: FIA Plans to Overhaul Stewarding Procedures
It’s the 25th January 2008, I’m Christine, and this is F1 Minute.
The FIA are planning to change the way the stewarding process works at Grand Prix weekends. Previously, there were two at each race, joined by season-long steward Tony-Scott Andrews. Andrews has now retired and the FIA have taken the opportunity to shake up the organisation. Now there will be three stewards at each race, nominated by F1-neutral nationalities, so countries that have no interests within the sport. They will be joined by FIA representative Alan Donnelly who will be there to improve the decision-making process. It’s thought this setup is in a response to complaints about some of last year’s incidents – where it could take days for the stewards to come to a decision.
Also in the news today, Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen are nominated in separate categories for the 2008 Laureus World Sport Awards – Kimi is up for the World Sportsman of the Year, whilst Lewis battles for Breakthrough of the Year. Ferrari have been nominated for Best Team.
That’s all for today, have a wonderful weekend and join me on Monday for another F1 Minute.
22-Oct-07: Raikkonen Championship Winner - For Now
This is F1 Minute, I’m Christine and today is the 22nd October 2007.
The only headline you need to know today is that Kimi Raikkonen has won the 2007 Driver Championship after an absolutely thrilling race in Brazil.
Heading into the race, Raikkonen was still in with a chance, but the rank outsider. Hamilton lost out to Alonso at the first corner, then ran wide trying to gain the place back. That pushed him out of the points, and he then suffered a problem with his gears that left him with too much work to do to recover. He finished 1 lap down, in 7th position, amid calls that the pressure finally got to him. Raikkonen won the race, and backed up by team mate Felipe Massa, with Alonso in third, he took the championship as well.
The only blight on his celebrations comes in the form of an investigation into fuel temperature issues. The stewards looked into BMW and Williams procedures but deemed it too hard to rule on. McLaren are appealing the decision, and if anything comes of it, the championship may not be as certain as we think.
I will keep you posted, so join me tomorrow for another F1 minute.