Big Hugs in Bahrain

Jarno Trulli hugs a Toyota team member after achieving his fourth career pole position at the Bahrain International Circuit in 2009. Timo Glock helped the Toyota team lock out the front row with a second place qualifying spot. Trulli went on to claim 3rd position in the race whilst Glock finished 7th.

The Toyota team won’t be present at this year’s Bahrain GP. Jarno can be found a long way from pole position at Lotus F1 Racing, and Timo finds himself in a similar position with Virgin Racing.

Credit: Toyota Motorsport GmbH

21-Jan-10: Trulli’s Impressed With His New Team

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Hello and welcome to F1 Minute for the 21st January 2010.

Jarno Trulli has been talking about his new team and says he is quite impressed with how well they’re getting along. He said: “It’s rather new, and it seems very modern to me. We have everything, including the facility to produce carbon fibre. On top of that, we also have an excellent windtunnel at our disposal… for a new team, we are in a better position than I would have hoped.” He does add that as a smaller team, he’s not expecting it to match Toyota’s potential, and that the project has longer term goals, and for now it’s a race to get points rather than wins. Half glass full or half glass empty, you decide.

Meanwhile, Williams technical director Sam Michael has suggested that their 2010 car has been completely redesigned, from an aerodynamic stand point, it’s completely new. He also mentioned that Rubens is pretty demanding, saying: “He’s unlikely to be around in five years time because of his age and has a sense of urgency about him.” Again, is that a compliment? You decide.

That’s all for now, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.

The Mask of Zoran

The Toyota TF108 hides under it’s blanket ahead of the 2008 launch. The team pulled out of F1 this year, but owner of Stefan GP, Zoran Stefanovich, has been to visit the factory in Cologne and apparently is very impressed with what he sees.

Credit: Toyota Motorsport GmbH

22-Dec-09: Peter Windsor Confident on US F1 Future

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It’s the 22nd December 2009 and this is F1 Minute.

There have been a lot of doubts about the future of US F1, as whilst Lotus and Virgin Racing announce liveries, drivers and plans for the car, US F1 have been remarkably quiet. Even Bernie Ecclestone has raised a few concerns, but boss Peter Windsor has hit back at those comments: “I’m surprised Bernie said that. We will be there. We’re in good shape. Everything is going well and we are looking forward to the year.”

Also today, the name Zoran Stefanovic cropped up again. Stefan GP previously attempted to get on the grid for 2010, then sued the FIA for allegedly demanding the new teams used Cosworth engines. It’s emerged Zoran visited the Toyota factory in Cologne, and he reportedly still wants a team ready to go for next year, even if there is no space left on the grid. A statement from Stefan GP said the boss was impressed with Toyota’s work.

That’s all for now, I’ll be back tomorrow with another F1 Minute.

Kobayashi to drive for BMW Sauber F1 Team from 2010

Kamui Kobayashi has been signed on as a BMW Sauber F1 Team driver as of season 2010. The 23-year-old Japanese drew attention to himself in 2009 with two strong performances as a substitute driver for Toyota.

“I’m very much looking forward to working together with Kamui,” said Peter Sauber. “In the final two Grand Prix of last season he was granted an unexpected chance to show his skills, and he made impressive use of it. Particularly in the Abu Dhabi race he demonstrated not only that he can drive fast and aggressively, but also his ability to successfully implement a strategy. I am convinced he has a great deal of potential and will be able to make the most of it in our team.”

“Ever since the start of my career I have dreamed of racing in Formula One,” said Kobayashi. “Now this dream has come true. I am very happy that my two races in 2009 have earned me a cockpit place. I will do my very best for Peter Sauber’s team and I am proud to be able to carry on flying the Japanese flag in Formula One.”

Kamui Kobayashi was born on 13th September 1986 in the Japanese city of Amagasaki. He took up karting at the age of nine. Toyota’s Young Drivers’ Programme was the passport to Formula Renault in 2004 and 2005, after which he took part in the Formula 3 Euro Series, winning the race in Magny-Cours, France in 2007. Further podium places earned him fourth place in the final rankings – and with it promotion. At the end of 2007, Toyota had already signed him on as a Formula One reserve driver from 2008 on.

At the same time, Kobayashi was competing in the GP2 Series in Asia and Europe in 2008 and 2009. He claimed an early maiden win in the European GP2, and in winter 2008/2009 he took a convincing title in the GP2 Asia.

Kamui Kobayashi lives in Paris. He speaks Japanese and English.
He is 1.70 m tall and weighs 63 kg

17-Dec-09: Kobayashi Signs to Sauber for 2010

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This is F1 Minute and it’s the 17th December 2009.

Sauber have confirmed their first driver for the 2010 season in the shape of Kamui Kobayashi. The Japanese driver took part in two Grand Prix events this year for Toyota, deputising for Timo Glock. Now he has been signed up to the former BMW team and says he will be doing his best: “Ever since the start of my career I have dreamed of racing in Formula 1. Now this dream has come true. I am very happy that my two races in 2009 have earned me a cockpit place.” Peter Sauber added that Kamui showed great speed and aggression and that he knows how to work with a good strategy.

Elsewhere, yesterday, Felipe Massa completed another test in an F2007 at Mugello. He finished about 90 laps over the course of two days, the first being interrupted by weather. After he was done he said: “I was very quick immediately and nothing seems to have changed in my driving style compared to before the accident.”

That’s it for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.

Kobayashi Focusing on Doing His Best

Kamui Kobayashi prepares for a run in the Toyota during the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend in 2009. Kobayashi looked as though he would be a sure signing for Toyota, but since their decision to leave, he has now been snapped up by the former BMW team, Sauber. Kobayashi can’t wait to get driving in F1 full time.

Credit: Toyota Corporation GmbH

A Positive Asset

Jarno Trulli preparing for his Yamaha Tenere XT660 test ride in May 2008. The former Renault and Toyota driver has been signed up for new team Lotus for the 2010 season, alongside ex-McLaren driver Heikki Kovalainen. Trulli believes his experience of a variety of teams and manufacturers will be a positive asset for his new bosses.

Credit: Toyota Corporation GmbH

03-Dec-09: Sauber Granted 13th Grid Slot for 2010

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This is F1 Minute for the 3rd December 2009.

Big news today, as first Toyota confirmed they weren’t going to be selling their F1 entry and had essentially given it back to the FIA. At the end of the day, the governing body announced that Sauber had been granted Toyota’s slot, becoming the 13th team on the 2010 grid. Peter Sauber previously announced he would only buy the team from BMW if they had an entry and he is pleased with the result. He says: “This is excellent news for the workforce in Hinwil. After many weeks of uncertainty, we have finally secured our place on the grid for 2010. Now we can enter into concrete negotiations with drivers and sponsors.”

Meanwhile, the young driver test in Jerez drew to a close today with Daniel Ricciardo on top in the Red Bull. He put in the fastest time of the entire week, more than a second up on second place di Resta in the Force India. The Red Bull did end the day with a blown engine though. Oops.

That’s all for now, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.

FIA Formula One World Championship – BMW Sauber

The FIA has written to inform BMW Sauber AG that their application for an entry in the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship has been successful. Subject to their signing the Concorde Agreement, BMW Sauber will be awarded the 13th entry in the Championship, taking the place of the departing Toyota team.

The FIA has worked closely with the Commercial Rights Holder and the teams involved over recent weeks and is grateful for their support in achieving the best outcome for the sport.

An updated Formula One entry list will be published in due course.

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