01-Dec-08: Hockenheim Reveal Doubt About F1 Future
Today is the 1st December 2008, and this is F1 Minute.
Hockenheim has become the next circuit to admit they’re struggling for money and will have to rethink their F1 commitment. At the moment, Hockenheim alternates hosting the German Grand Prix with the Nurburgring, and is due to return to the calendar in 2010. However, reports suggest that the track made a loss of over 5 million Euros this year, and says the only way to carry on is with government intervention. With so many well known circuits struggling financially, Bernie Ecclestone is going to have to sit up and take notice, isn’t he? Let me know what you think at F1Minute.com.
Elsewhere this weekend, Brazil was the scene of yet more racing action, as Renault were there for their lastroadshow of the year. More than 100,000 people turned up and enjoyed the demos from Nelson Piquet. Also in Brazil, Barrichello won the charity kart race organised by Felipe Massa. The F1 veteran beat off the likes of Massa, Michael Schumacher, Badoer, Liuzzi and di Grassi.
That’s it for today, please join me again tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
23-Sep-08: FIA Reject McLaren’s Belgium Appeal
Welcome to F1 Minute for the 23rd September 2008.
The result is in, and the FIA have rejected McLaren’s appeal against Lewis Hamilton’s Belgium penalty, deeming it to be inadmissible. The official FIA Statement reads: “Article 152 of the International Sporting Code states that drive-through penalties are ‘not susceptible to appeal’.” McLaren tried to use an appeal from 2007 as a precedent – Tonio Liuzzi at the Japanese Grand Prix, for overtaking under yellow flags – but the FIA didn’t agree.
Hamilton released a statement soon after the announcement saying he was disappointed but ready to move on. “People will probably expect me to be depressed about today’s result, but that isn’t me. All I want to do now is put this matter behind me and get on with what we drivers do best: racing each other.”
McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh added to this that they are also disappointed to have received no ruling on the actual substance of the appeal, as they felt it was a perfectly valid complaint.
That’s it for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
01-Sep-08: Toyota Announce Team Manager Departure
Today is the 1st September 2008 and you’re listening to F1 Minute.
It seems to be the day for talking about departures, as it’s been announced the team manager of Toyota, Richard Cregan, will be leaving at the end of November. Cregan has been with the team for 24 years, working his way up to manager in 2004. It appears he will be taking a new job within Formula 1, although no details have been released, and he will be replaced from within Toyota.
Also today, Gerhard Berger has spoken of Vettel leaving the team for Red Bull next year and says that he will be sorely missed. He said: “We had been really struggling with Scott Speed and Tonio Liuzzi last year, but he has proved what the team is able to do and has done it in a very nice way, with us, with the engineers, with everybody. That has pushed us such an immense step forward - it is really a pity to lose him.” Berger also mentioned the fact that Red Bull give them so much, that it’s nice to be able to give something back.
That’s it for today, I’ll be back again tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
16-Jul-08: Red Bull Factory Suffers a Small Setback
It’s the 16th July 2008, and you’re listening to F1 Minute.
Mark Webber paid a visit to the Red Bull factory in Milton Keynes today, although it was probably cut a lot shorter than he was expecting. At about lunchtime, one of the new components the team was testing out, failed and gave off a lot of smoke. Everyone inside that part of the factory, including Webber, was evacuated while the fire alarms rang. A spokesperson said it’s all fine and has no effect on their preparation for this weekend’s race.
Following the news earlier this week, that Takuma Sato is desperate to return to Formula 1, we now have Tonio Liuzzi eyeing up a return to racing. Currently test driver for Force India, Liuzzi says sitting on the sidelines each race weekend is more difficult than he expected. He also hints at the drivers market for next year, saying it all rests on a certain someone’s shoulders… again. “The decisions will be taken around mid-August, and I’m not just talking about Force India. Everything revolves around Alonso and the market will move once he moves.”
That’s all for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
25-Feb-08: Hamilton Leads the Way at Final Test
This is F1 Minute for the 25th February.
The last official testing week began in Barcelona, with Lewis Hamilton leading the pack. He was just a few hundredths faster than Kimi Raikkonen in the Ferrari, who in turn was just a tenth faster than Michael Schumacher. There were three red flags during the day brought out by Heidfeld, Vettel and Piquet.
The test saw the debut of the new Force India car, with Sutil and Liuzzi taking to the track. They finished the day sandwiching a BMW, and ahead of two Toyotas and two Hondas.
Unfortunately, Super Aguri were not present at the test, and are unlikely to be able to join at all this week. Team boss Aguri Suzuki is currently in Japan holding crisis talks with both Honda and potential investors, but until their future is secure, the team can’t afford to test. They are, however, still preparing for the start of the season in Australia.
Very quickly to finish, a life-size replica of the F2008 made out of chocolate was given to a Ferrari owners club in Italy. It cost about £11,000, took a year to make, and was broken up into little pieces to be shared by the fan club members.
That’s all for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
14-Feb-08: Kovalainen Wraps Up Jerez Test on Top
This is F1 Minute, and these are your headlines for 14th February 2008.
Kovalainen finished up the test in Jerez on top, placing his McLaren half a second above David Coulthard. McLaren were trialling new extended front rim shields, they caused quite a fuss in the pit lane, but appeared to do the trick out on track. Nakajima continued his good form posting the third fastest time, whilst red flags were brought out by Hulkenberg and Vettel. Honda continued to be bottom of the timesheets.
Force India test driver Tonio Liuzzi has spoken of his time at Toro Rosso, saying his relationship with the Red Bull side of things was good, but it’s a different story with Gerhard Berger. He says Berger and Adrian Newey purposely blocked his progression as a driver. He believes Force India is a good move, however, and the potential for a race drive is there.
Finally, Red Bull are auctioning off the RB3 driven by David Coulthard at Silverstone last year. The car is covered in stickers of fans who donated money to the Wings for Life charity, and money raised from the auction will go there too. The auction will be on eBay and runs from March 13th to the 30th.
That’s all for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
17-Jan-08: FIA Agree Budget Caps Could Be Introduced
I’m Christine and this is F1 Minute for the 17th January 2008.
FIA President Max Mosley has written a letter to all the teams confirming that the wheels are in motion for a ruling to cap expenditure on almost everything, except for engines. A Financial Working Group is to be formed and they need to start coming up with some solid plans before June this year, otherwise the proposed and much stricter regulations will be introduced instead.
Despite persistent rumours, Toyota have denied that their sporting future is in doubt. Team Principal Tadashi Yamashina says that his previous statement about the two year deadline was misinterpreted and related to his appointment within the team rather than their entire presence in Formula 1. Toyota claim they are committed to F1 until 2012.
Mike Gascoyne has been discussing Force India’s driver lineup saying with Liuzzi in the wings the pressure is on the two main drivers to succeed. He commented that having Fisichella on board was a big step forward for the team, but his appointment beyond 2008 can only be based on performance and results.
That’s all for today, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.
14-Jan-08: BMW Launch F1:08 in Munich
Hi everyone, this is F1 Minute and here are your top headlines for 14th January 2008.
BMW launched their 2008 car in Munich today, and whilst there was the usual talk of being ready to challenge for the title and confidence of success, boss Mario Theissen did come up with a few tasty bits of information. Firstly, he said that BMW are in favour of the budget caps idea presented by Honda’s Ross Brawn and Nick Fry. He said with some evaluation as to how it would work, the idea is preferable to specific limitations. Secondly, Theissen announced that the team are ready to supply engines to other cars. They have no one in mind or lined up as a customer, but if the right situation arose, BMW have the resources.
Meanwhile, over at Jerez, the first day of testing kicked off with a mixture of 2007 and 2008 cars out on track. Raikkonen and Massa topped the timesheets in their new cars, with de la Rosa in the McLaren close behind. Liuzzi debuted as test driver for Force India and posted a respectable 11th fastest time, whilst Super Aguri struggled with mechanical problems. Tester James Rossiter only completed 10 laps and the team remained at the bottom of the times.
That’s all for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
10-Jan-08: Wurz Returns to F1 with Honda
It’s the 10th January 2008, and this is F1 Minute.
Alex Wurz has come out of retirement to sign for Honda as third driver this year. Wurz retired from racing at the end of last year, to be replaced at Williams by Nakajima. However, lured by working with Ross Brawn, Wurz has joined the team to help develop the car.
Force India held an event in India to officially confirm Fisichella as their number one driver, with Adrian Sutil as team mate, and Tonio Liuzzi as test driver. Fisichella was quick to point out that this was not his only opportunity, but the best one.
Toyota launched their 2008 contender this morning, in Cologne. The drivers and management were present, with everyone pretty much admitting the pressure is on to get some results after a disappointing 2007.
And very quickly, the Autosport International show has started today in Birmingham, and an interesting snippet comes from Dave Richards, who has said that customer cars are looking really unlikely, and therefore Prodrive’s plans are basically scuppered.
That’s all for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.
08-Jan-08: All Teams Look to the Future
Today is the 8th January 2008, I’m Christine and this is F1 Minute.
Today is a day for looking forward. Super Aguri have announced they will be launching their new car in February. It will be revealed and take to the track in Barcelona on the 19th.
Force India have announced they will be confirming their second driver on Thursday. Pitpass reports they have an incredibly reliable source telling them that Fisichella has been signed, with Tonio Liuzzi as the test driver. Only a few more days and then we’ll know for sure.
McLaren test driver Gary Paffett is looking to 2009 for a chance of a race drive, hoping that Prodrive will be able to get on the grid by then. He says he was very disappointed when Prodrive had to withdraw their 2008 entry, as he felt the links between McLaren and the new team worked in his favour.
Both Ron Dennis and Luca di Montezemolo have been talking up their competitiveness for the season ahead. Dennis was optimistic, saying he couldn’t wait to build on the momentum of last year. Montezemolo was a little more realistic saying the new rules would make things tough but he’s still feeling confident.
That’s all for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.