F1 News & Gossip (2009)

Yeah I saw this in pit pass but it wouldn't let me cut and paste it for some reason.... interesting read though....

This post has been edited by bigbaldybloke: Feb 10 2009, 09:55 AM

No strike, says Vettel (Source)

Even if F1 pilots are not ready to accept the unreasonable raise in prices for super licences, they're not thinking about going on a strike. On the occasion of the RB5 rollout, Vettel put the importance of the argument between the FIA and drivers into perspective. He told the Rheinische Post (Rhineland Post newspaper): "A strike is not up for discussion, we all want to drive."

FIA president Mosley had threatened that no pilot would enter the paddock in Melbourne without having signed the new contract. 21-year old Vettel said "We should all be careful with that situation, because no one wants to read that the drivers are on strike at the beginning of the season". Drivers are not happy with the current situation, though. Vettel himself would have to pay about 80'000 Euro. Vettel as a member of the GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers Association) hopes that the FIA will cooperate in the end. In the meantime, it's wait and see what the future holds.

Alonso Turned Down Ferrari For 2009 According To AS

iario AS has run with an exclusive story in Spain today claiming that Fernando Alonso turned down a late offer from Ferrari for a race drive in 2009 out of loyalty to Renault.

The Spaniard driver claimed that the offer from Ferrari was far too late and if he had accepted it would have been unfair on Renault having to find another driver, and work their development for 2009 around someone else after all their work with him.

AS also claims that the deal would have seen Alonso replace Kimi Raikkonen NOT Felipe Massa as many had expected at the start of 2008.

“In short, the Italian team’s sudden interest came too late for Fernando.” AS said.

 fernandoalonso2008running_1.jpg ( 34.09K ) Number of downloads: 2

Alonso

Alonso loyal to Renault

This rumour about Kimi Raikkonen being replaced comes just days after former Ferrari driver Eddie Irvine suggested that Raikkonen should be sacked if he does not perform in 2009. If Ferrari were to keep him into 2010, Irvine believes he should take a massive pay-cut after what he saw as serious shortcomings in 2008.

 eddie_irvine.jpg ( 71.79K ) Number of downloads: 2

Eddie Ervine

“If you’re the highest paid you have to be the best and he’s not doing the job, simple as that,” Irvine told Virgin Media

“If he [Raikkonen] doesn’t beat Massa next year I’d be sacking him or reducing his wages massively.” the Northern Irish driver added.

 kimiraikkonen_2.jpg ( 23.24K ) Number of downloads: 2

Kimi Raikkonen

Kimi Raikkonen - Jumping or being pushed?

Meanwhile in Italy, media and motorsport figures have been adding significant fuel to fire in terms of attracting the driver to the team.

“It’s like putting another Schumacher in the house,” La Gazzetta dello Sport wrote. “Alonso is quick, technically strong, very bright, and his consistency is unparalleled.”

 giancarlominardi.jpg ( 26.13K ) Number of downloads: 2

Giancarlo Minardi

Former F1 boss Giancarlo Minardi spoke to La Gazetta too.

“I haven’t seen him since the Italian Grand Prix, and even then we did not talk about his future, but there is no doubt that he would be a great Ferrari driver.” Minardi said.

“I have the feeling that with an equal chance he can easily beat Hamilton,” Giancarlo Minardi source

Three drivers rumoured to have applied for super licence, against the order from GPDA (Source)

Because of the raise in prices for super licences, the GPDA has asked their members not to apply for it yet. Still, three drivers have paid the fees and applied for the licence. It is not known who the three drivers are, but there are three drivers who are not part of GPDA and thus prime suspects: Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Räikkönen and Felipe Massa.

Note from IR: Since those are the three who'll have to pay the most, the other drivers would now look bad if they didn't pay...

Sebastien Buemi on a diet to lose 5 kilograms (Source)

Although he is already one of the featherweights in F1, Sébastien Buemi (63 kilograms for 176 centimeters, 139 pounds for 5.77 feet) wants to lose another 5 kilograms (11.0231131 pounds) before the start of the season in Melbourne. Should he do it, he'd be considered underweight by the BMI (Body Mass Index) calculation. He told swiss newspaper Blick that the car is already on the limit and that another 10 kilograms weight would make him 0.4 seconds slower per lap. Drivers and teams are having problems due to the introduction of KERS, which adds up to 40 kilograms to the car weight. The total car weight is still frozen at 605 kg, though.

Renault cancels private Barcelona test

Renault has shelved plans to carry out a private test session at Barcelona next week.

The Enstone-based squad had been scheduled to run its new R29 car over three days at the Circuit de Catalunya from next Wednesday.

But a spokeswoman confirmed to itv.com/f1 that the team has instead scheduled extra running at Jerez towards the end of March.

Renault’s new car has yet to make an impression on the timesheets in either its first test at Portimao last month or so far this week at Jerez, with sources suggesting the team has been struggling with traction and overheating issues during the limited dry-weather programme so far.

However, the spokeswoman said the Barcelona test had been arranged for largely promotional reasons and the decision to abandon it was made three weeks ago as part of a routine testing schedule alteration.

Renault now plans to return to Jerez before the start of the new season, with another F1 test at the Spanish venue set aside in the circuit’s online calendar for 15-20 March.

Following the end of the current tests at Jerez and Bahrain, the group testing schedule resumes at Jerez once again on March 2 before Barcelona plays host to the crucial final pre-season test a week later.

Mark Webber made his comeback from his broken leg behind the wheel of Red Bull’s new RB5 car at Jerez on Wednesday morning.
 610x.jpg ( 104.55K ) Number of downloads: 2

The Australian had set himself the ambitious target of returning to a race track for the team’s first test of its new car shortly after breaking his right leg in a cycling accident in Tasmania last November.

And now after a period of extensive rehabilitation to build up strength in his leg again, Webber lowered himself back into a Formula 1 cockpit for the first time in over three months as planned for the second day of the group test.
Speaking to journalists at the RB5 launch earlier in the week, Webber revealed that the titanium pins in his leg would stay in place for 18 months but that his recovery was ahead of schedule and he was confident good progress would continue to be made so he’s 100% fit for the first race.
“It’s still healing,” he said.
“We’re very much focusing on Melbourne.
“We’ll see how we go here, see what it feels like to drive. There’s no need to go bananas, but see what it feels like – we’ve still got another four tests after this.”
While Webber will be mainly reacclimatising himself to an F1 cockpit during the day, he will also get the chance to carry out his first evaluations of the RB5 – which team-mate Sebastian Vettel has already put 78 laps on over the last few days.
However, while Vettel outpaced the other 2009 cars on track at Jerez on Tuesday, RBR has suffered some teething problems will the all-new design on both days.

Coulthard fears for Button future
 _45462615_buttonpa226.jpg ( 11.96K ) Number of downloads: 2

Button made his F1 debut in 2000 and joined Honda in 2003
Jenson Button's Formula One career may be over unless current team Honda find a new owner, former driver David Coulthard has warned.

With every other team having confirmed their line-up, Button's only chance of a drive in 2009 looks to be with Honda, who were put up for sale in December.

"You cannot say 100%, but it would be very difficult to imagine where he goes from there.

"It is a fickle business," said Coulthard, who retired last year.

Coulthard believes his 29-year-old fellow Briton cannot afford to sit out a season if Honda do not make the grid.

"The way the sport is now, there are so many young drivers coming through and there are so many opportunities for teams to pick up these guys," he added. 606: DEBATE
Put Button in a good car and he still has a chance of doing something

macman8092

Honda announced they were pulling out of Formula One in December, blaming the global economic crisis.

The team remain hopeful of a rescue bid, but with the season beginning in Melbourne on 29 March, time is running out.

Coulthard, speaking at the launch of Red Bull's new car in Spain, warned that even if the team are bought out, Button could still experience a hugely frustrating season at the back of the grid.

"Honda, off the back of a bad season, suddenly when they realise they are up for sale start talking that this (their 2009 car) is a winning design and it's a great opportunity for anyone to buy this winning design," Coulthard said.

"I don't think it is a given that it will suddenly be a winning design.

"You would like to imagine that it would be better than what they were given last year but I think the team at the back of the grid potentially could be Honda.

"Whereas going into previous years with Honda he was all full of hope and expectation that this could be the year that Honda will step up, he has to take a different view now.

"He has to now consider himself as driving for a mid-grid, privateer team.

"Whether they can deliver to his expectations or not is more difficult to judge going into this season and presumably longer term he has to be looking to try to make a step up to a manufacturer team."

source

This post has been edited by bigbaldybloke: Feb 11 2009, 04:38 PM

Anderson... USF1 is go!
09/02/2009


 2009usf1150.jpg ( 8.43K ) Number of downloads: 2


Ken Anderson, one of the men behind the proposed Formula One team USF1, has broken cover admitting that plans for the team are well and truly underway and that a formal announcement will be made later this month.

In an interview with the Charlotte Observer, Anderson said of speculation regarding the proposed team; "95 percent of what you might have seen is true".

"We are looking at a couple of buildings in Charlotte, including one in the University area," he revealed when asked about the team's HQ.

Asked for more background on the team, Anderson confirmed that it will be an all-American project: "Not many people here know much about it, but there are talented Americans in Europe doing very well right now.

"All of the teams' sponsors want a presence here and American companies are going global," he continued. "Formula One is the biggest television show in the world, bar none."

While some question the effectiveness, and indeed cost, of running an F1 team from the United States as opposed to Europe, Anderson said: "90 percent of the technology that exists in F1 comes from the U.S. anyway."

While refusing to give further details, Anderson suggested that at the time of confirming his team's entry in the 2010 championship, he will also confirm the identity of at least one driver.


Source: PitPass

Senna signs for Honda? (Source)

According to our sources Bruno Senna has now signed for the Honda Racing F1 team - and an announcement that the team will be going ahead will be made soon. The team is expected to use Mercedes-Benz engines and Senna will be partnered by Jenson Button. Backing for the team - the name of which has yet to be announced - is expected to come from Petrobras and probably one or two of Senna's personal sponsors.

It is not clear when the announcement will be made.

There have been some rumours in recent days that the team may have the backing of none other than Bernie Ecclestone. This would not be a surprise as Ecclestone is keen to make sure that the teams are not unanimous within the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) and having a financial interest in one of them is a good way to ensure that this happens.

It is believed that the majority of the money to run the team will be coming from Honda itself as it is cheaper to pay to keep the team alive than it is to lay off all the staff.

This post has been edited by InterRaptor: Feb 12 2009, 06:33 PM

Sato in talks over reserve driver role (Source)

Takuma Sato is in talks with Red Bull chiefs about a role as the official reserve driver for both of the company's Formula One teams this year, autosport.com has learned.

The Japanese driver missed out in the battle for the second Scuderia Toro Rosso race seat to Sebastien Bourdais, but could yet end up working with the outfit.

Autosport.com understands he is currently in discussions about a reserve role for Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso, which could see him drafted into action should any of the team's regulars be unable to compete.

Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz has confirmed the talks, and admitted that although not chosen for a race seat there was still interest in using the Japanese.

"He has a good reputation in Japan," said Mateschitz. "He could work with us very well".

Sato is currently weighing up his options for 2009, with his priority to return to racing for the first time since Super Aguri folded at the start of last year.

Just to add to IR's post

Who the hell is Bruno

When leaving McLaren at the end of 1993, Ayrton Senna had said: "If you think I'm good, just wait until you see my nephew Bruno". Bruno raced go-karts against Ayrton on the family farm, and it was clear that Ayrton regarded his nephew's potential very highly. Ayrton's tragic death while driving a Williams at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, however, brought Bruno's own racing career to an abrupt halt.

At Imola in 2004, however, on the 10th anniversary of his uncle's death, Senna was given an example of his uncle's 1986 Lotus 98T as a gift from an Italian friend. Senna drove the car at the 2004 Formula One Brazilian Grand Prix in São Paulo, at Interlagos, where Ayrton had won in 1991 and 1993.

 220px_Bruno_Senna_2007.jpg ( 9.19K ) Number of downloads: 2



2006: British F3
In 2006, Senna competed in the Formula Three support races at the 2006 Australian Grand Prix, winning three of the four races [1] [2]. He also entered a full season in the British F3 International Series with Räikkönen Robertson Racing finishing the season in 3rd place with 269pts and 4 wins. He won the opening two races of the series at Oulton Park in the wet. He again won the first race at Donington Park and then won the second race at Mugello in Italy, again in the wet

[edit] 2007-2008: GP2
In October 2006 Senna was said to be targeting a seat on the Formula One grid by 2009.[3] He signed to drive for the Red Bull-sponsored Arden International team for the 2007 GP2 Series. He finished 4th on his debut at Bahrain and soon after scored his first win in the feature race in Spain. In the single race Monaco event, Senna struggled owing to poor tyres.

During the four week break in the GP2 series between the Monaco and French races, Senna took part in the third round of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli European series at Silverstone on June 9 and 10, 2007. Driving an F430 on a weekend devoted to the 60th anniversary of Ferrari, Senna won both races, starting each from pole. The purpose of this involvement was to gain a better understanding of the circuit, which is on the GP2 calendar

[edit] Formula One
Bruno Senna sampled a Formula One car for the first time in November 2008 when he tested for Honda in Barcelona. Honda assessed the Brazilian during their first winter test at the Circuit de Catalunya on November 17-19. His tasks included an initial familiarisation with Honda’s RA108 car and its systems before progressing to a full programme during which the team intended to evaluate his performance, technical skill and ability to work within a large team organisation.

Despite Senna, over the course of the 3 day test, coming to within 0.3 seconds of then Honda F1 racing driver Jenson Button, the later announcement that Honda would withdraw with immediate effect of F1 amid the economic crisis, would appear to have significantly lessened his opportunity of a 2009 race seat within Formula One, unless the squad were to find a buyer before the beginning of the season in March. If Honda does compete in the 2009 season, Senna is expected to be one of its drivers
wiki

McLaren Green Fluid Mystery Solved

There was great mystery yesterday at testing in Spain, mainly involving Hekki Kovalainen’s McLaren MP4-24 and a large amount of green fluid splattered all over the car.

 greenfluidmclaren.jpg ( 24.92K ) Number of downloads: 2


Was it oil hitting that chrome paint work? Or indeed had someone put too much brake fluid in? Or was it McLaren’s new “green” image? Well, we were all stumped. Until, ESPN were told by McLaren officials that it was a special liquid placed onto the car to help with the aerodynamics.

Basically, they put it on, and before it gets chance to dry the car is flying around the circuit. As it does so, the air flow across the car moves the paint around, where it subsequently dries and shows the mechanics detailed air flows across the car. It is common practice to confirm wind tunnel findings.

“This is what we call a ‘flow vis’ (visualisation) - where we take a paraffin-based light solution and apply it to the car,” A McLaren spokesperson told ESPN F1-Live

“The solution is light enough to flow over the car, drying quickly to determine the airflow over the bodywork.”

And some more about Donington

Donington Park Dismantle Famous Bridge In F1 Preparation

Donington Park today dismantled their famous “Dunlop” tyre bridge in preparation for building work and expansion before the first F1 race there since 1993 in 2010.

The Leicestershire based circuit has had the bridge across the back straight next to the Donington Museum for years and it has become iconic with spectators and drivers alike.

 dunlopbridge.jpg ( 22.32K ) Number of downloads: 2


However, it is sited upon the location for the new paddock and garages so has to go.

It is not being sold on, meerly put into storage and rumour has it that it will be utilised somewhere else around the circuit area, possibly across the entrance.

“We’re storing it, and then we’re going to decide where it is going to go,” Simon Gillett, track boss said.

“Maybe [we'll] change the ‘Dunlop’ to ‘Donington’ but in the same typeface. Part of the problem with the Dunlop Bridge is that MotoGP is Michelin, it’s Pirelli for World Superbikes, Bridgestone for F1, so commercially you can’t have it.

“There is the safety point of view because of the width of it, and also the location because the new pits and paddock are going there.

“So there are lots of reasons - it’s current location is wrong, it is not wide enough, and then there are the commercial reasons … we’d be constantly painting over the Dunlop. So it just couldn’t stay. But we’ll

Feb.12 (GMM) USF1, a prospective new formula one entrant to be based in America, looks set to launch its foray on February 24, according to one of the figures central to the project.

Peter Windsor, a former team manager and now journalist, said he was surprised his and Ken Anderson's plans were kept under wraps for several years.

The Briton, the pitlane reporter for F1's US television coverage on Speed, told the channel's website speedtv.com that "the real announcement" about USF1's plans could be made on February 24.

Windsor explained that since the rumours broke, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

"Of course it's not easy raising money in the recession," he admitted. "Having said that, the recession is all about adapting to changing times and re-setting the boundaries.

"That is what we are going to with USF1 -- and that is what the FIA are doing with the F1 rules.

"We know that we're primarily in the entertainment business and so every aspect of USF1 will reflect that," said Windsor source

This post has been edited by bigbaldybloke: Feb 13 2009, 11:11 AM

Jerez day four - Bourdais top, Hamilton leads 2009 runnersSebastien Bourdais continued to dominate in Toro Rosso’s interim car as this week's test at Jerez concluded on Friday. Bourdais clocked a best time of 1m 17.472s around the Spanish circuit, which took him over two seconds clear of McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton, the fastest driver in a 2009-spec car.

In what was the final appearance for the Italian team’s STR3 ahead of the launch of their own ’09 machine, the Frenchman carried out an extensive evaluation of front and rear suspension. And although a minor technical issue brought his day to a premature end, he managed to complete 117 laps.

“It’s been a while since I’ve driven and it’s good to get back in the groove,” said Bourdais after the test. “We are just continuing to evaluate tyres and understand how the slicks are working, as well as trying a few things on the geometry of the car. All in all, a useful working session.”

With Hamilton second in the MP4-24, Renault’s Fernando Alonso took up the third slot on the timesheets in the R29. Alonso focused his attentions on the car’s set-up and covered 109 laps.

“Overall, we have to be very happy as we managed to do lots of laps and the car responded well to the set-up changes we made, so I think we’ve found some good solutions," commented the Spaniard. "Everyday the drivability of the car is improving and although we still have a lot of work to do before the start of the season, we are definitely moving in the right direction.”

Fourth fastest was Nico Rosberg for Williams, while team mate Kazuki Nakajima finished sixth. Sandwiched between the Williams duo in fifth was Red Bull’s Mark Webber, who continued to sample the new RB5.

Still recovering from the broken leg he sustained in a cycling accident in November, Webber completed 62 laps over the course of the day. Despite a brief mechanical issue in the morning, the Australian was able to carry out a tyre comparison, whilst simultaneously evaluating set-up and suspension changes.

“Apart from a few minor niggles, which are to be expected with a brand new car, this first test has produced pleasing results,” commented Red Bull’s head of race engineering, Ian Morgan. “The RB5 proved to be generally reliable and its performance seems encouraging straight out of the box.”

'Honda saved by Brazilian investors'

13 February 2009


 115762.jpg ( 36.56K ) Number of downloads: 2


According to various media the Honda Formula 1 team have raised sufficient funds to ensure that the team can at least compete in the first four races of the upcoming Formula One season. The team would also have signed up Brazilian driver Bruno Senna to race alongside Jenson Button.

According to British newspaper The Guardian the team raised around $30m funding from a group of Brazilian sponsors who support Senna.

The team would be running with Mercedes-Benz engines in Melbourne and more information is expected later this month.


Source: GPUpdate.net




*This is certainly good news, thanks for the early tip IR*

Cool youtube CGI showing Sebastian Vettel explaining 2009 F1 rule changes and modifications to the cars..



This post has been edited by bigbaldybloke: Feb 17 2009, 05:28 PM

Champ Hamilton has no charisma - Lauda
Feb.17 (GMM) Today's formula one drivers have no personality, no charisma and "no idea", according to triple world champion and grand prix great Niki Lauda.

For the occasion of his sixtieth birthday this weekend, the Austrian winner of 25 grands prix was interviewed at length by the news magazine Profil.

Perhaps most famous for his 1976 Nurburgring crash that left his face severely burned, Lauda was asked to compare his ERA with that of the modern world championship, won last year by 23-year-old Lewis Hamilton.

"Back then, death was always an option. Today's chaps have no idea," Lauda said in an advance excerpt of the interview published by Austrian Times.

"They drive go-karts until they turn 18 and then start their formula one career. They know nothing apart from accelerating and handling the steering wheel.

"They haven't got a chance to develop a personality. The only kind of charisma someone like Lewis Hamilton has is his (pop singer girlfriend) Ms Scherzinger."

As is evident from the blunt nature of his conversations, Lauda confirms that he still has the same number of friends today as in the past -- none.

"That is absolutely true," he said. "There were no doubts about that while I was active, anyway -- everyone was ready to roll over someone else's head to win.

"You have to be a loner to have success in motorsports," Lauda added.

You Can Bank On It: Financial institutions racing out of F1
by Noah Joseph on Feb 18th 2009 at 9:27AM


 bank_collage.jpg ( 74.65K ) Number of downloads: 2


It's a sign of the times that even the banks don't have money. With everyone hurting in this economic climate, several large banking groups have been prompted to cancel their sponsorship activities in Formula One. Credit Suisse announced it was withdrawing its sponsorship of the BMW Sauber team for this season. Dutch banking giant ING, which invested heavily – some 50 million Euros (about $63M USD), according to some estimates – in the Renault team, trackside advertising and title sponsorship of several grands prix races, has now announced it will not renew its contract with the French team after this season and that it is withdrawing entirely from the sport. Sources are also predicting that with the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) in such serious financial difficulty that it required a British government bail-out, that it is also likely to terminate its sponsorship of the Williams team.

The end of banking money in F1 will likely put a bigger squeeze on the sport's efforts to reduce costs, but like the fall-out from when Big Tobacco pulled out of Formula One, another industry will eventually emerge to take the place of the big banks. Our money would be on haberdasheries, but let's face it – we don't have any money, either.


Source: AutoBlog

Another possibility for Honda? Virgin Group (http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssAutoTruckManufacturers/idUSLH00360320090217)

British entrepreneur Richard Branson's Virgin Group has made a bid for the Honda Formula One team, a source close to the Japanese manufacturer told Reuters on Tuesday.

"They have made a bid to purchase the team," said the source, who declined to be identified.

A spokeswoman for Branson declined to comment, saying the Virgin Group was "constantly named in speculation and rumour".

"We do not comment on speculation," added a Honda team spokeswoman.

If confirmed, the offer could scupper a planned management buyout being led by the team's current chief executive Nick Fry, principal Ross Brawn and three other senior Honda Racing executives.

With the Formula One season due to start in Australia on March 29 and time running out for a rescue of the Brackley-based team, a decision by the Japanese manufacturer is likely by the end of the month and possibly within days.

Honda put their team up for sale in December after announcing they were withdrawing from Formula One as a constructor and engine supplier due to the global credit crunch.

The decision left the career of British driver Jenson Button in limbo while also threatening the jobs of the team's 700 employees.

Branson has been involved with Formula One before to a minor extent, his Virgin Mobile company sponsoring the Jordan team in 2002.

Virgin Atlantic Japan have also been personal sponsors of Honda-backed Japanese driver Takuma Sato for the past four years.

Barrichello still hoping (Source)

The last weeks' rumours on the continuation of the Honda team never mentionned Rubens Barrichello as a possible driver. While Jenson Button place seems to be secure, the second drivers talked about were Senna and Sato. Meanwhile, Barrichello is still in a waiting position and hasn't given up the hope to start in Melbourne. During a vacation in California last week, he told the Monterrey Herald that he was still waiting for new and that 'the Honda team hopes to get sold, it's difficult to just be waiting for news from the team'.



Also in the news:
Honda: Decision on Monday (Source)

Monday is D-Day for the Honda team. That is the day when the first installment for the engine has to be paid to Mercedes-Benz. And they have to show they have the money to pay the engine bills of 8 million Euros for the whole season. It seems the team has already chosen where it will go, the remaining (rumoured) choices are a management buy-out, Virgin or Brazilian company Embratel. It seems Petrobras is out of the deal, which would be tough for Bruno Senna, as they are his sponsor.

And another one:

Danica is the dream of Formula One (Source)

 HBI7CbHs_Pxgen_r_535x700.jpg ( 105.7K ) Number of downloads: 2


The visionaries to make this dream come true are Ken Anderson,a former Ligier Technical Director and Peter Windsor, a TV journalist. The presentation is supposed to be held on February 24th on TV. They dream of a duo of US-pilots: Danica Patrick (26) and Scott Speed (26). Danica is the first woman to ever win a race in the Indy Car series (Motegi 2008).