| artkevin | 12-14-2005 11:39 AM |
I don't think Ferrari is in that big of trouble *yet*. Vodafone always looked like it wanted to be bigger then they ever could be with the Scuderia. With Marlboro signing back up with them I assume Vodafone saw the writing on the wall and started looking for somehting bigger. They already sponsor the entire DTM field.
I am wondering what Mclaren is going to do as far as title sponsor for 06.
I am wondering what Mclaren is going to do as far as title sponsor for 06.
| Ferg | 12-14-2005 11:45 AM |
I don't think they'll have one. They haven't had a title sponsor since West left last year.
Testing from Jerez.....Karthikeyan doing the business.
[QUOTE]Montagny goes quickest at Jerez
December 14th 2005, 16:31 GMT
Renault's test driver Franck Montagny topped the times on the second day of this week's testing at the Jerez circuit in Spain.
Indian Narain Karthikeyan, however, was the quickest of the V8 runners as he shone again at the wheel of the Williams, outpacing Australian Mark Webber in the second Cosworth-powered car.
Karthikeyan, in his second outing with Williams following last week's test, finished slightly over three tenths of a second behind Montagny, who drove this year's R25 car with a V10 engine simulation an eight-cylinder unit.
Karthikeyan, who looks like the favourite to land the third seat at Williams next season, outpaced Webber by nearly a second.
Ferrari's Felipe Massa was third quickest in the Italian car, the Brazilian covering 68 laps at the wheel of the F2004 fitted with a regulated power version of the V10 engine. Massa worked on tyre development for Bridgestone.
Renault's Heikki Kovalainen, the busiest man on track today with 104 laps completed, was fifth fastest, ahead of Webber and the first of the Honda cars. The team rejoined the Jerez test today, working with both Anthony Davidson and Adam Carroll, who got back to F1 action for the first time since September.
Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya took over from Briton Gary Paffett at the wheel of the McLaren-Mercedes, as the British squad continued working on tyre testing and engine development. Montoya was eighth quickest, two places ahead of teammate Pedro de la Rosa.
Nick Heidfeld was again the only BMW driver on track, continuing with his tyre assessment programme and also working on cooling system checks.
The Toyota team had three drivers in action, all of them at the wheel of the new TF106. Brazilian Ricardo Zonta was the quickest of the trio, while Olivier Panis and Frank Perera shared the second car, the veteran Grand Prix winner taking over from Perera in the afternoon.
Today's times:
Pos Driver Team Tyres Time Laps
1. Montagny Renault (M) 1:18.804 97 *
2. Karthikeyan Williams-Cosworth (B) 1:19.171 37
3. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:19.264 68 *
4. Zonta Toyota (B) 1:19.521 75
5. Kovalainen Renault (M) 1:19.626 104 *
6. Webber Williams-Cosworth (B) 1:20.105 46
7. Davidson Honda (M) 1:20.133 93
8. Montoya McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:20.216 39
9. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber (M) 1:20.325 75
10. de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:20.885 84
11. Carroll Honda (M) 1:21.555 85
12. Perera Toyota (B) 1:21.556 18
13. Panis Toyota (B) 1:23.000 32
(*) V10 engine
All Timing Unofficial[/QUOTE]
I believe Schumacher will be joining this test tomorrow.
Testing from Jerez.....Karthikeyan doing the business.
[QUOTE]Montagny goes quickest at Jerez
December 14th 2005, 16:31 GMT
Renault's test driver Franck Montagny topped the times on the second day of this week's testing at the Jerez circuit in Spain.
Indian Narain Karthikeyan, however, was the quickest of the V8 runners as he shone again at the wheel of the Williams, outpacing Australian Mark Webber in the second Cosworth-powered car.
Karthikeyan, in his second outing with Williams following last week's test, finished slightly over three tenths of a second behind Montagny, who drove this year's R25 car with a V10 engine simulation an eight-cylinder unit.
Karthikeyan, who looks like the favourite to land the third seat at Williams next season, outpaced Webber by nearly a second.
Ferrari's Felipe Massa was third quickest in the Italian car, the Brazilian covering 68 laps at the wheel of the F2004 fitted with a regulated power version of the V10 engine. Massa worked on tyre development for Bridgestone.
Renault's Heikki Kovalainen, the busiest man on track today with 104 laps completed, was fifth fastest, ahead of Webber and the first of the Honda cars. The team rejoined the Jerez test today, working with both Anthony Davidson and Adam Carroll, who got back to F1 action for the first time since September.
Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya took over from Briton Gary Paffett at the wheel of the McLaren-Mercedes, as the British squad continued working on tyre testing and engine development. Montoya was eighth quickest, two places ahead of teammate Pedro de la Rosa.
Nick Heidfeld was again the only BMW driver on track, continuing with his tyre assessment programme and also working on cooling system checks.
The Toyota team had three drivers in action, all of them at the wheel of the new TF106. Brazilian Ricardo Zonta was the quickest of the trio, while Olivier Panis and Frank Perera shared the second car, the veteran Grand Prix winner taking over from Perera in the afternoon.
Today's times:
Pos Driver Team Tyres Time Laps
1. Montagny Renault (M) 1:18.804 97 *
2. Karthikeyan Williams-Cosworth (B) 1:19.171 37
3. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:19.264 68 *
4. Zonta Toyota (B) 1:19.521 75
5. Kovalainen Renault (M) 1:19.626 104 *
6. Webber Williams-Cosworth (B) 1:20.105 46
7. Davidson Honda (M) 1:20.133 93
8. Montoya McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:20.216 39
9. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber (M) 1:20.325 75
10. de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:20.885 84
11. Carroll Honda (M) 1:21.555 85
12. Perera Toyota (B) 1:21.556 18
13. Panis Toyota (B) 1:23.000 32
(*) V10 engine
All Timing Unofficial[/QUOTE]
I believe Schumacher will be joining this test tomorrow.
| Ferg | 12-14-2005 12:07 PM |
some early reactions about Michelin's exit.
[QUOTE]FIA welcomes Michelin withdrawal
By Jonathan Noble December 14th 2005, 16:24 GMT
Motor racing's governing body has welcomed Michelin's decision to withdraw from Formula One at the end of next year, claiming the teams will be happy with a single tyre supplier from 2007.
Although Michelin criticised the actions of the governing body in the statement announcing its withdrawal from F1, the FIA has made it clear that a talked-about switch to a single tyre supplier was requested by the teams and not imposed by them.
"The FIA has noted Michelin's announcement of its withdrawal from Formula One at the end of 2006," said a statement issued by the FIA on Wednesday afternoon.
"Everyone in Formula One will be most grateful to Michelin for the efforts they have made and for their courtesy in giving the necessary full year's notice.
"The competing teams have repeatedly and unanimously requested the FIA to impose a single tyre supplier in Formula One. This has been agreed for 2008, but Michelin's announcement makes it probable for 2007. The teams will certainly be glad of this."
The FIA also chose to make reference to the events at Indianapolis this year, where the Michelin teams were forced to pull-out of the event after problems with the tyres the French company had brought.
The statement added: "A single tyre supplier will undoubtedly make Formula One fairer, safer and less expensive for the teams but, above all, it will avoid a repetition of the problem which arose at the 2005 US Grand Prix."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Honda saddened by Michelin exit
December 14th 2005, 16:46 GMT
Honda Racing believe that Michelin's withdrawal from Formula One will be a loss to the sport.
The French tyre manufacturer announced on Wednesday that it would pull out of F1 at the end of 2006 because it is unhappy that the sport is switching to a single-tyre formula.
Honda Racing boss Nick Fry, whose team have worked with Michelin since the start of 2004, said he was unhappy about the decision but fully understood the reasons behind it.
"The Honda Racing F1 Team is saddened by the news that our tyre partner Michelin has decided to leave Formula One at the end of next season," said Fry in a statement.
"Over the course of the past three years we have forged a very strong partnership and shared many special moments in our team's development. Whilst we believe that Michelin's departure will be a sad loss for the sport, we understand their reasons for this decision.
"We thank Michelin for the contribution it has made to our team and we look forward to working with the company for one final year in 2006. For our part, we will be doing everything possible to ensure that next season is the most successful yet for ourselves and Michelin."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]FIA welcomes Michelin withdrawal
By Jonathan Noble December 14th 2005, 16:24 GMT
Motor racing's governing body has welcomed Michelin's decision to withdraw from Formula One at the end of next year, claiming the teams will be happy with a single tyre supplier from 2007.
Although Michelin criticised the actions of the governing body in the statement announcing its withdrawal from F1, the FIA has made it clear that a talked-about switch to a single tyre supplier was requested by the teams and not imposed by them.
"The FIA has noted Michelin's announcement of its withdrawal from Formula One at the end of 2006," said a statement issued by the FIA on Wednesday afternoon.
"Everyone in Formula One will be most grateful to Michelin for the efforts they have made and for their courtesy in giving the necessary full year's notice.
"The competing teams have repeatedly and unanimously requested the FIA to impose a single tyre supplier in Formula One. This has been agreed for 2008, but Michelin's announcement makes it probable for 2007. The teams will certainly be glad of this."
The FIA also chose to make reference to the events at Indianapolis this year, where the Michelin teams were forced to pull-out of the event after problems with the tyres the French company had brought.
The statement added: "A single tyre supplier will undoubtedly make Formula One fairer, safer and less expensive for the teams but, above all, it will avoid a repetition of the problem which arose at the 2005 US Grand Prix."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Honda saddened by Michelin exit
December 14th 2005, 16:46 GMT
Honda Racing believe that Michelin's withdrawal from Formula One will be a loss to the sport.
The French tyre manufacturer announced on Wednesday that it would pull out of F1 at the end of 2006 because it is unhappy that the sport is switching to a single-tyre formula.
Honda Racing boss Nick Fry, whose team have worked with Michelin since the start of 2004, said he was unhappy about the decision but fully understood the reasons behind it.
"The Honda Racing F1 Team is saddened by the news that our tyre partner Michelin has decided to leave Formula One at the end of next season," said Fry in a statement.
"Over the course of the past three years we have forged a very strong partnership and shared many special moments in our team's development. Whilst we believe that Michelin's departure will be a sad loss for the sport, we understand their reasons for this decision.
"We thank Michelin for the contribution it has made to our team and we look forward to working with the company for one final year in 2006. For our part, we will be doing everything possible to ensure that next season is the most successful yet for ourselves and Michelin."[/QUOTE]
| driggity | 12-14-2005 02:57 PM |
I don't know how I feel about Michelin leaving. I love all the technical battles that occur in F1 but tires seemed to be the one thing on the car where a team could really be hurt by something that wasn't entirely under their control. It will put an end to all the "car A would be faster if it was on different tires" arguments. Bring on the "Bridgestone is giving preferential treatment to team B" arguments :disco:
And its good to see Michelin and the FIA taking shots at each other in their announcements :D
And its good to see Michelin and the FIA taking shots at each other in their announcements :D
| Ferg | 12-15-2005 11:18 AM |
Plenty to report...
[QUOTE]McLaren won't oppose Super Aguri
December 15th 2005, 04:55 GMT
McLaren will not oppose Super Aguri's entry to Formula One in 2006, chief executive Martin Whitmarsh said on Wednesday.
Super Aguri are still facing opposition from several teams, and some speculations have included McLaren among the opposers.
But Whitmarsh said his team would not be the stumbling block, admitting they are supporting the new entry because Honda had asked them to.
Honda powered McLaren between 1988 and 1992, and the Japanese outfit are set to back Super Aguri.
"We have written to Super Aguri saying that we will not oppose their entry," Whitmarsh said at the McLaren factory, adding that this was provided they met the terms of the commercial and sporting regulations.
"We haven't done it for Super Aguri, we have done it because Honda requested it," he added. "And I made it very clear to Honda that is the only reason.
"My understanding is that at least Midland have dug in," said Whitmarsh. "If you are a turkey, you don't vote for Christmas and they haven't agreed."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Intel partners BMW in major deal
December 15th 2005, 06:07 GMT
High-tech giant Intel has chosen BMW-Sauber as its new Formula One partner, after the BMW Group and the American company agreed on a comprehensive worldwide partnership that spans beyond F1.
Intel was rumoured in recent to hold negotiations for a title sponsorship deal with McLaren-Mercedes, but the electronics corporation elected to partner with BMW for a long-term strategic technology partnership.
The two companies said Intel would become Sauber's sponsor while they further join forces in the development of BMW's worldwide IT infastructure as well as shared marketing activites.
Intel and BMW have also agreed on the joint development of an open standard for the integrated operation of mobile devices (including mobile phones, portable music players and PDAs) in vehicles built by BMW.
Prof. Dr. Burkhard Goschel, BMW Group Board Member for Purchasing and Development, said: "Like the BMW Group, Intel also sets the highest standards of performance, innovation and quality for its products. For both companies, technological leadership is a fundamental goal.
"Our methods of systematically turning ideas into innovative products will be excellently supported and complemented by Intel's innovative technology and highly efficient solutions. This partnership stands to benefit our IT, our customers and our Formula One team."
Eric Kim, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Intel, said: "This comprehensive agreement brings together two of the most admired and innovative brands in the world. Intel's technology and BMW's prowess in the automotive sector are a powerful combination.
"Intel and BMW intend to collaborate heavily on the IT technology and marketing side as our brands are very dynamic and innovative. With Intel as the Official Corporate Partner of the BMW Sauber F1 Team, the Intel brand will reach hundreds of millions of passionate fans worldwide each year - fans who appreciate the critical role that technology plays in Formula One.
"Intel will infuse the BMW Sauber F1 Team with its technology - technology that we believe will support the team's performance."
BMW Motorsport Director, Dr. Mario Theissen, added: "Formula One is a high-tech discipline. It demands the control and coordination of hundreds of parameters simultaneously and the precise execution of every step.
"Cutting-edge technology is a crucial success factor, and BMW has accepted the challenge. We are delighted that a strong partner such as Intel has done likewise in collaboration with us."
BMW-Sauber F1 will be launching their 2006 car in Valencia, Spain, on January 16th.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]McLaren regret Michelin's exit
December 15th 2005, 09:43 GMT
The McLaren team have said they will be sad to see Michelin leaving Formula One, but the British squad admitted they understood the decision.
Michelin announced they would quit the sport at the end of 2007 because of the governing body's decision to move to a single supplier from 2008. The move will force McLaren back into the arms of Bridgestone.
"Obviously we are sad to see Michelin leave Formula One after the 2006 season," said McLaren's chief executive Martin Whitmarsh. "However we understand and accept their decision and know that they are fully committed to winning the Championships in 2006.
"Michelin did a great job this year and all their efforts have been appreciated by everybody at Team McLaren Mercedes. We will continue to work closely with Michelin in 2006 and do our best to ensure that they leave Formula One on a high."
McLaren boss Ron Dennis, whose team won 10 of this year's 19 races and finished runners-up to champions Renault, hoped Michelin's departure would not impact on performance next season.
"We've got a disenchanted tyre company who we hope will really concentrate on 2006," he said. "I think there's a strong reason why they would want to succeed if it's their last year."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Michelin questions FIA's motivation
By Michele Lostia December 15th 2005, 10:54 GMT
Michelin has again questioned the FIA's motivation for continued changes to Formula One's regulations.
On the back of the return of tyre changes next year, Michelin's CEO Edouard Michelin has said that he does not understand why the FIA has chosen to make expensive modifications to the rules - and believes some teams only voted for the new regulations because they will give them an advantage.
"The position of the FIA changes depending on the situations, and reflects an obvious lack of transparency regarding the reasons for some choices," Michelin told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"After having supported a decrease of costs, the new decision by the federation increases them by 15 percent: more development, more testing and more logistics.
"If some teams have voted in favour of this new regulation, then they've probably noticed some advantages, especially the teams fitted with our competitor's tyres, which have never adapted to the conditions in 2005."
Michelin also re-iterated his company's stance that it believes the switch to a single-tyre supplier is not in the best interests of F1.
"We've had an exceptional year," he explained. "Results improve the image of the company as they are a tremendous test for research, but with a single supplier F1 will partly lose its high technology.
"We've always been against a lack of competition among tyre manufacturers. To ban competition is the first step towards a single engine and a single bodywork, that is progressively transforming current races into promotional races."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Peace deal unlikely before season's start
By Alan Baldwin December 15th 2005, 11:25 GMT
Formula One is unlikely to reach a deal before the start of next season to end the threat of a carmaker-led rival series from 2008, according to McLaren boss Ron Dennis.
The Briton, whose team are 40 percent owned by Mercedes' parent DaimlerChrysler, said, however, that the recent purchase of the sport's commercial rights by CVC Capital Partners was a positive step.
The carmakers want clear corporate governance, a level playing field for all and a far greater share of the sport's revenues for the teams.
"I believe those driving forces and values will exist, whatever organisation is effectively operating Grand Prix racing post 2008," Dennis said.
"Who that is, and what that is, is probably not going to come into focus for three to six months."
The season starts in Bahrain on March 12.
Despite carmakers warning that time is running out, with the end of the year seen as a turning point, Dennis suggested the situation was not that critical.
"In any negotiation one of the ingredients is time and at the moment we have to the end of 2007 to get it into focus and get it sorted," he said.
"Everybody is moving towards each other, (FIA president) Max (Mosley) has moved considerably in our direction and we've tried to move in the FIA's direction.
"And of course we are now dealing with another entity, CVC, and it is difficult to engage formally with CVC at the moment because CVC at the moment does not own Formula One.
"Until it has clearance from Brussels, until it has resolved the issue with the equity held by Lehman, it's not in a position to sit and talk to us."
CVC have bought 86 percent of Formula One after buying the stakes of German bank BayernLB, commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone's family trust and JP Morgan.
Lehman Brothers hold the remaining shares and are in negotiations with CVC.
A well-informed source said their shareholding remained a liability to the overall CVC deal if Lehman took legal action to press its claim to first refusal on the other banks' shareholdings.
Dennis said the CVC takeover was not perfect, with a slice of the revenues still leaving the sport, but would resolve some of the carmakers' main grievances.
"One thing which is music to our ears in our discussions with CVC is that they have in the statutes of the company which is the vehicle that is going to own Formula One, all the values that we have been striving for," he said.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Williams await clarifications from Aguri
By Jonathan Noble December 15th 2005, 14:09 GMT
Williams will wait until they have received clarification from Super Aguri about their Formula One plans before deciding whether to support their late application to next year's championship, autosport.com has learned.
With Aguri Suzuki's team needing to get unanimous approval from their rivals to be allowed to resubmit their entry to the FIA, Williams have been rumoured to be alongside Ferrari and Midland F1 as one of three teams not supporting the application.
However, sources close to Williams have told autosport.com that although the team have not yet lent their support, they may do so providing that Aguri can prove that they are serious about their F1 intentions.
It is believed that Williams have asked for details from Super Aguri about their future plans and their financial background, so the Grove-based team can be convinced that the new outfit will not damage F1's image by not being around for the long-term.
Renault are believed to have asked for similar assurances amid concerns from team boss Flavio Briatore about the quality of the team's entry.
A source close to Williams said: "We have asked for some clarification. It is just a few questions like who are they, is their fundraising sustainable and other minor issues, like whether their entry will compromise other teams' suppliers."
Those answers have not yet been forthcoming from Aguri, who are also facing uncertainty about whether they will get support from Ferrari and Midland.
Ferrari have yet to confirm their position but are not believed to have rejected the application, while MF1 have said they are considering their options.
The latter team are believed to be concerned about the possible implications of being beaten to the 10 th spot in the constructors' championship by Aguri, because that could cost them television rights money and travel subsidies.
Of the other teams, Honda Racing's support for Aguri will be automatic, with the Japanese manufacturer supplying engines to the team.
Toyota and McLaren have publicly come out and said they also back the plans, while Renault, BMW-Sauber and Red Bull's two teams are also believed to have told the team they will support the entry.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]McLaren won't oppose Super Aguri
December 15th 2005, 04:55 GMT
McLaren will not oppose Super Aguri's entry to Formula One in 2006, chief executive Martin Whitmarsh said on Wednesday.
Super Aguri are still facing opposition from several teams, and some speculations have included McLaren among the opposers.
But Whitmarsh said his team would not be the stumbling block, admitting they are supporting the new entry because Honda had asked them to.
Honda powered McLaren between 1988 and 1992, and the Japanese outfit are set to back Super Aguri.
"We have written to Super Aguri saying that we will not oppose their entry," Whitmarsh said at the McLaren factory, adding that this was provided they met the terms of the commercial and sporting regulations.
"We haven't done it for Super Aguri, we have done it because Honda requested it," he added. "And I made it very clear to Honda that is the only reason.
"My understanding is that at least Midland have dug in," said Whitmarsh. "If you are a turkey, you don't vote for Christmas and they haven't agreed."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Intel partners BMW in major deal
December 15th 2005, 06:07 GMT
High-tech giant Intel has chosen BMW-Sauber as its new Formula One partner, after the BMW Group and the American company agreed on a comprehensive worldwide partnership that spans beyond F1.
Intel was rumoured in recent to hold negotiations for a title sponsorship deal with McLaren-Mercedes, but the electronics corporation elected to partner with BMW for a long-term strategic technology partnership.
The two companies said Intel would become Sauber's sponsor while they further join forces in the development of BMW's worldwide IT infastructure as well as shared marketing activites.
Intel and BMW have also agreed on the joint development of an open standard for the integrated operation of mobile devices (including mobile phones, portable music players and PDAs) in vehicles built by BMW.
Prof. Dr. Burkhard Goschel, BMW Group Board Member for Purchasing and Development, said: "Like the BMW Group, Intel also sets the highest standards of performance, innovation and quality for its products. For both companies, technological leadership is a fundamental goal.
"Our methods of systematically turning ideas into innovative products will be excellently supported and complemented by Intel's innovative technology and highly efficient solutions. This partnership stands to benefit our IT, our customers and our Formula One team."
Eric Kim, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Intel, said: "This comprehensive agreement brings together two of the most admired and innovative brands in the world. Intel's technology and BMW's prowess in the automotive sector are a powerful combination.
"Intel and BMW intend to collaborate heavily on the IT technology and marketing side as our brands are very dynamic and innovative. With Intel as the Official Corporate Partner of the BMW Sauber F1 Team, the Intel brand will reach hundreds of millions of passionate fans worldwide each year - fans who appreciate the critical role that technology plays in Formula One.
"Intel will infuse the BMW Sauber F1 Team with its technology - technology that we believe will support the team's performance."
BMW Motorsport Director, Dr. Mario Theissen, added: "Formula One is a high-tech discipline. It demands the control and coordination of hundreds of parameters simultaneously and the precise execution of every step.
"Cutting-edge technology is a crucial success factor, and BMW has accepted the challenge. We are delighted that a strong partner such as Intel has done likewise in collaboration with us."
BMW-Sauber F1 will be launching their 2006 car in Valencia, Spain, on January 16th.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]McLaren regret Michelin's exit
December 15th 2005, 09:43 GMT
The McLaren team have said they will be sad to see Michelin leaving Formula One, but the British squad admitted they understood the decision.
Michelin announced they would quit the sport at the end of 2007 because of the governing body's decision to move to a single supplier from 2008. The move will force McLaren back into the arms of Bridgestone.
"Obviously we are sad to see Michelin leave Formula One after the 2006 season," said McLaren's chief executive Martin Whitmarsh. "However we understand and accept their decision and know that they are fully committed to winning the Championships in 2006.
"Michelin did a great job this year and all their efforts have been appreciated by everybody at Team McLaren Mercedes. We will continue to work closely with Michelin in 2006 and do our best to ensure that they leave Formula One on a high."
McLaren boss Ron Dennis, whose team won 10 of this year's 19 races and finished runners-up to champions Renault, hoped Michelin's departure would not impact on performance next season.
"We've got a disenchanted tyre company who we hope will really concentrate on 2006," he said. "I think there's a strong reason why they would want to succeed if it's their last year."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Michelin questions FIA's motivation
By Michele Lostia December 15th 2005, 10:54 GMT
Michelin has again questioned the FIA's motivation for continued changes to Formula One's regulations.
On the back of the return of tyre changes next year, Michelin's CEO Edouard Michelin has said that he does not understand why the FIA has chosen to make expensive modifications to the rules - and believes some teams only voted for the new regulations because they will give them an advantage.
"The position of the FIA changes depending on the situations, and reflects an obvious lack of transparency regarding the reasons for some choices," Michelin told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"After having supported a decrease of costs, the new decision by the federation increases them by 15 percent: more development, more testing and more logistics.
"If some teams have voted in favour of this new regulation, then they've probably noticed some advantages, especially the teams fitted with our competitor's tyres, which have never adapted to the conditions in 2005."
Michelin also re-iterated his company's stance that it believes the switch to a single-tyre supplier is not in the best interests of F1.
"We've had an exceptional year," he explained. "Results improve the image of the company as they are a tremendous test for research, but with a single supplier F1 will partly lose its high technology.
"We've always been against a lack of competition among tyre manufacturers. To ban competition is the first step towards a single engine and a single bodywork, that is progressively transforming current races into promotional races."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Peace deal unlikely before season's start
By Alan Baldwin December 15th 2005, 11:25 GMT
Formula One is unlikely to reach a deal before the start of next season to end the threat of a carmaker-led rival series from 2008, according to McLaren boss Ron Dennis.
The Briton, whose team are 40 percent owned by Mercedes' parent DaimlerChrysler, said, however, that the recent purchase of the sport's commercial rights by CVC Capital Partners was a positive step.
The carmakers want clear corporate governance, a level playing field for all and a far greater share of the sport's revenues for the teams.
"I believe those driving forces and values will exist, whatever organisation is effectively operating Grand Prix racing post 2008," Dennis said.
"Who that is, and what that is, is probably not going to come into focus for three to six months."
The season starts in Bahrain on March 12.
Despite carmakers warning that time is running out, with the end of the year seen as a turning point, Dennis suggested the situation was not that critical.
"In any negotiation one of the ingredients is time and at the moment we have to the end of 2007 to get it into focus and get it sorted," he said.
"Everybody is moving towards each other, (FIA president) Max (Mosley) has moved considerably in our direction and we've tried to move in the FIA's direction.
"And of course we are now dealing with another entity, CVC, and it is difficult to engage formally with CVC at the moment because CVC at the moment does not own Formula One.
"Until it has clearance from Brussels, until it has resolved the issue with the equity held by Lehman, it's not in a position to sit and talk to us."
CVC have bought 86 percent of Formula One after buying the stakes of German bank BayernLB, commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone's family trust and JP Morgan.
Lehman Brothers hold the remaining shares and are in negotiations with CVC.
A well-informed source said their shareholding remained a liability to the overall CVC deal if Lehman took legal action to press its claim to first refusal on the other banks' shareholdings.
Dennis said the CVC takeover was not perfect, with a slice of the revenues still leaving the sport, but would resolve some of the carmakers' main grievances.
"One thing which is music to our ears in our discussions with CVC is that they have in the statutes of the company which is the vehicle that is going to own Formula One, all the values that we have been striving for," he said.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Williams await clarifications from Aguri
By Jonathan Noble December 15th 2005, 14:09 GMT
Williams will wait until they have received clarification from Super Aguri about their Formula One plans before deciding whether to support their late application to next year's championship, autosport.com has learned.
With Aguri Suzuki's team needing to get unanimous approval from their rivals to be allowed to resubmit their entry to the FIA, Williams have been rumoured to be alongside Ferrari and Midland F1 as one of three teams not supporting the application.
However, sources close to Williams have told autosport.com that although the team have not yet lent their support, they may do so providing that Aguri can prove that they are serious about their F1 intentions.
It is believed that Williams have asked for details from Super Aguri about their future plans and their financial background, so the Grove-based team can be convinced that the new outfit will not damage F1's image by not being around for the long-term.
Renault are believed to have asked for similar assurances amid concerns from team boss Flavio Briatore about the quality of the team's entry.
A source close to Williams said: "We have asked for some clarification. It is just a few questions like who are they, is their fundraising sustainable and other minor issues, like whether their entry will compromise other teams' suppliers."
Those answers have not yet been forthcoming from Aguri, who are also facing uncertainty about whether they will get support from Ferrari and Midland.
Ferrari have yet to confirm their position but are not believed to have rejected the application, while MF1 have said they are considering their options.
The latter team are believed to be concerned about the possible implications of being beaten to the 10 th spot in the constructors' championship by Aguri, because that could cost them television rights money and travel subsidies.
Of the other teams, Honda Racing's support for Aguri will be automatic, with the Japanese manufacturer supplying engines to the team.
Toyota and McLaren have publicly come out and said they also back the plans, while Renault, BMW-Sauber and Red Bull's two teams are also believed to have told the team they will support the entry.[/QUOTE]
| artkevin | 12-15-2005 12:07 PM |
Um what? :confused:
"But Whitmarsh said his team would not be the stumbling block, admitting they are supporting the new entry because Honda had asked them to."
Becuase Honda asked them to? F1 has a soul?
"But Whitmarsh said his team would not be the stumbling block, admitting they are supporting the new entry because Honda had asked them to."
Becuase Honda asked them to? F1 has a soul?
| Ferg | 12-15-2005 12:37 PM |
We now return you to your regularly scheduled championship....
[QUOTE]Schumacher shines at Jerez
December 15th 2005, 16:50 GMT
Michael Schumacher returned to the Formula One cockpit in style on Thursday when he led the way during testing at Jerez in Spain - with a V8 engine.
The Ferrari driver, getting his first taste of V8 power in a modified version of the F2005, outpaced his new teammate Felipe Massa in a V10-powered car by just more than one tenth of a second with a quick lap in the afternoon.
It was an impressive performance from both Schumacher and Ferrari, especially considering they were running with the less powerful V8 power-unit. The only blot on Schumacher's performance was an early morning spin, as he got himself re-acquainted with F1 machinery.
Behind Massa, Renault duo Franck Montagny and Heikki Kovalainen were third and fourth quickest in their restricted V10-powered cars, while Anthony Davidson in the Honda concept car was fifth fastest overall.
Davidson, who has been running with a black helmet because fellow tester Adam Carroll has had to borrow his, was significantly almost one second slower than Schumacher despite running with the same engine configuration.
Ricardo Zonta in the Toyota was sixth fastest as he claimed the team had made progress with their understanding of Bridgestone tyres.
"We learned a lot in setting up suspension and how it works with the tyres," he told autosport.com . "It was a good test and the only problem was that in the afternoon the track conditions were not so consistent."
Fellow Toyota test driver Olivier Panis, who was ninth fastest, was equally upbeat as he completed his first full-day of testing since returning from illness.
"The car is working well and the tyres are getting better," he said. "The engine is much better than when I tested last time. We did lots of laps and we are going in a good direction."
Seventh fastest Juan Pablo Montoya's day was hit by an engine failure, while Williams continued to endure a troubled time with their Cosworth-powered car.
Nico Rosberg brought out the first red flag of the day when he was left stranded with an engine failure in the morning, while Mark Webber was slowest overall having spun off the track after suffering a suspected gearbox problem.
Nick Heidfeld's running with BMW-Sauber ended early after the team discovered a problem with a defective exhaust pipe in the afternoon, which had burned the back of the car too much for it to be repaired at the track.
He had been working on engine evaluation and a tyre programme with Michelin in the morning.
Today's times:
Pos Driver Team Tyres Time Laps
1. M.Schumacher Ferrari (B) 1:18:953 67
2. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:19:060 97 *
3. Montagny Renault (M) 1:19:066 20 *
4. Kovalainen Renault (M) 1:19:100 119 *
5. Davidson Honda (M) 1:19:877 114
6. Zonta Toyota (B) 1:20:035 106
7. Montoya McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:20:168 106
8. Carroll Honda (M) 1:20:170 48
9. Panis Toyota (B) 1:20:342 93
10. de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:20:492 117
11. Rosberg Williams-Cosworth (B) 1:20:597 46
12. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber (M) 1:20:700 38
13. Webber Williams-Cosworth (B) 1:21:453 25
(*) V10 engine
All Timing Unofficial[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Schumacher: V8 is still enjoyable
By Jonathan Noble December 15th 2005, 14:51 GMT
Former World Champion Michael Schumacher has said the new V8 engines are not as bad as he feared after his first experience at Jerez in Spain on Thursday.
The German has made an earlier than usual return to testing duties with the team, following their disappointing 2005 campaign, and was immediately given a run with Ferrari's new V8 power-unit.
And despite an early morning spin as he got up to speed with an F1 car again, Schumacher had said his early impression of the new less-powerful engine is positive.
"We have been working very hard, the team has done lots of work in recent weeks and in general things are optimistic," he said during a break in testing.
"I feel a much lower level of power, but the sensation is nice. It is interesting and the sound is totally different.
"On the first lap I was shocked but then I noticed that I had not used the full potential of the engine. I do feel this limitation of power, but honestly I had expected a lot worse. And in terms of the joy of driving, there is no limitation."
Schumacher explained that it was important for him to get back into the cockpit before the end of the year because of the need to ramp up Ferrari's efforts for 2006.
"I needed to come back," he explained. "At least I had the will to work again and also motivate others. Altogether we can get back to a new level and I am certainly motivated. So far all the aspects look positive."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Schumacher: tyres alone won't win title
By Jonathan Noble December 15th 2005, 15:23 GMT
Michael Schumacher has rubbished suggestions that the return of tyre changes to Formula One next year has automatically made Ferrari favourites for the World Championship.
With Ferrari and their tyre supplier Bridgestone having struggled to make their rubber last an entire race distance last season, the return of tyre changes in 2006 is viewed by many as being of huge benefit to the Italian team.
But Schumacher believes that Ferrari will still need to make major progress with their car if they are to have any hope of regaining the World Championship.
"Last year we were 1-1.5 seconds slow, and that was nothing to do with the tyre regulation," said the former World Champion during a break in testing at Jerez in Spain. "We have to improve the performance.
"Up to a certain level it (the new tyre rules) can help, but it cannot make us World Champions. In 2005, in some races, we hardly had any rubber left at the end of the race and therefore we were so slow. This will not happen anymore and we can only improve our competitiveness really."
Schumacher's decision to join testing before the Christmas break was fuelled by his desire to know exactly where Ferrari stand in relation to their opposition.
"There are many reasons (for testing early)," he added. "We had a very bad year and I felt I should be in the car earlier. Secondly I was hot to drive and thirdly, I wanted to look at everyone else to establish what is needed.
"It is a different situation to other years. I did not feel like having a long holiday, there was no reason to rest.
"It is good to have information already for the next season. Also it is pure joy to drive. In other years I deliberately held this joy back."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Schumacher shines at Jerez
December 15th 2005, 16:50 GMT
Michael Schumacher returned to the Formula One cockpit in style on Thursday when he led the way during testing at Jerez in Spain - with a V8 engine.
The Ferrari driver, getting his first taste of V8 power in a modified version of the F2005, outpaced his new teammate Felipe Massa in a V10-powered car by just more than one tenth of a second with a quick lap in the afternoon.
It was an impressive performance from both Schumacher and Ferrari, especially considering they were running with the less powerful V8 power-unit. The only blot on Schumacher's performance was an early morning spin, as he got himself re-acquainted with F1 machinery.
Behind Massa, Renault duo Franck Montagny and Heikki Kovalainen were third and fourth quickest in their restricted V10-powered cars, while Anthony Davidson in the Honda concept car was fifth fastest overall.
Davidson, who has been running with a black helmet because fellow tester Adam Carroll has had to borrow his, was significantly almost one second slower than Schumacher despite running with the same engine configuration.
Ricardo Zonta in the Toyota was sixth fastest as he claimed the team had made progress with their understanding of Bridgestone tyres.
"We learned a lot in setting up suspension and how it works with the tyres," he told autosport.com . "It was a good test and the only problem was that in the afternoon the track conditions were not so consistent."
Fellow Toyota test driver Olivier Panis, who was ninth fastest, was equally upbeat as he completed his first full-day of testing since returning from illness.
"The car is working well and the tyres are getting better," he said. "The engine is much better than when I tested last time. We did lots of laps and we are going in a good direction."
Seventh fastest Juan Pablo Montoya's day was hit by an engine failure, while Williams continued to endure a troubled time with their Cosworth-powered car.
Nico Rosberg brought out the first red flag of the day when he was left stranded with an engine failure in the morning, while Mark Webber was slowest overall having spun off the track after suffering a suspected gearbox problem.
Nick Heidfeld's running with BMW-Sauber ended early after the team discovered a problem with a defective exhaust pipe in the afternoon, which had burned the back of the car too much for it to be repaired at the track.
He had been working on engine evaluation and a tyre programme with Michelin in the morning.
Today's times:
Pos Driver Team Tyres Time Laps
1. M.Schumacher Ferrari (B) 1:18:953 67
2. Massa Ferrari (B) 1:19:060 97 *
3. Montagny Renault (M) 1:19:066 20 *
4. Kovalainen Renault (M) 1:19:100 119 *
5. Davidson Honda (M) 1:19:877 114
6. Zonta Toyota (B) 1:20:035 106
7. Montoya McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:20:168 106
8. Carroll Honda (M) 1:20:170 48
9. Panis Toyota (B) 1:20:342 93
10. de la Rosa McLaren-Mercedes (M) 1:20:492 117
11. Rosberg Williams-Cosworth (B) 1:20:597 46
12. Heidfeld BMW-Sauber (M) 1:20:700 38
13. Webber Williams-Cosworth (B) 1:21:453 25
(*) V10 engine
All Timing Unofficial[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Schumacher: V8 is still enjoyable
By Jonathan Noble December 15th 2005, 14:51 GMT
Former World Champion Michael Schumacher has said the new V8 engines are not as bad as he feared after his first experience at Jerez in Spain on Thursday.
The German has made an earlier than usual return to testing duties with the team, following their disappointing 2005 campaign, and was immediately given a run with Ferrari's new V8 power-unit.
And despite an early morning spin as he got up to speed with an F1 car again, Schumacher had said his early impression of the new less-powerful engine is positive.
"We have been working very hard, the team has done lots of work in recent weeks and in general things are optimistic," he said during a break in testing.
"I feel a much lower level of power, but the sensation is nice. It is interesting and the sound is totally different.
"On the first lap I was shocked but then I noticed that I had not used the full potential of the engine. I do feel this limitation of power, but honestly I had expected a lot worse. And in terms of the joy of driving, there is no limitation."
Schumacher explained that it was important for him to get back into the cockpit before the end of the year because of the need to ramp up Ferrari's efforts for 2006.
"I needed to come back," he explained. "At least I had the will to work again and also motivate others. Altogether we can get back to a new level and I am certainly motivated. So far all the aspects look positive."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Schumacher: tyres alone won't win title
By Jonathan Noble December 15th 2005, 15:23 GMT
Michael Schumacher has rubbished suggestions that the return of tyre changes to Formula One next year has automatically made Ferrari favourites for the World Championship.
With Ferrari and their tyre supplier Bridgestone having struggled to make their rubber last an entire race distance last season, the return of tyre changes in 2006 is viewed by many as being of huge benefit to the Italian team.
But Schumacher believes that Ferrari will still need to make major progress with their car if they are to have any hope of regaining the World Championship.
"Last year we were 1-1.5 seconds slow, and that was nothing to do with the tyre regulation," said the former World Champion during a break in testing at Jerez in Spain. "We have to improve the performance.
"Up to a certain level it (the new tyre rules) can help, but it cannot make us World Champions. In 2005, in some races, we hardly had any rubber left at the end of the race and therefore we were so slow. This will not happen anymore and we can only improve our competitiveness really."
Schumacher's decision to join testing before the Christmas break was fuelled by his desire to know exactly where Ferrari stand in relation to their opposition.
"There are many reasons (for testing early)," he added. "We had a very bad year and I felt I should be in the car earlier. Secondly I was hot to drive and thirdly, I wanted to look at everyone else to establish what is needed.
"It is a different situation to other years. I did not feel like having a long holiday, there was no reason to rest.
"It is good to have information already for the next season. Also it is pure joy to drive. In other years I deliberately held this joy back."[/QUOTE]
| driggity | 12-15-2005 12:41 PM |
[QUOTE=artkevin]Becuase Honda asked them to? F1 has a soul?[/QUOTE]
Or they're just pissed off at Mercedes and want to gain favor with another engine provider.
Or they're just pissed off at Mercedes and want to gain favor with another engine provider.
| Ferg | 12-15-2005 01:17 PM |
I doubt that's their motive, unless they've found someone to buy Mercedes share of the team. Maybe RedBull wants a third team...
I've been slack with the pictures lately so here's a bunch.
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/53588368/large.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/53588367/large.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/53588365/large.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/53588364/large.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/53588361/large.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/53588359/large.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/53588358/large.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/53568105/large.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/53568102/large.jpg[/IMG]
I've been slack with the pictures lately so here's a bunch.
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/53588368/large.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/53588367/large.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/53588365/large.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/53588364/large.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/53588361/large.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/53588359/large.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/53588358/large.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/53568105/large.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.pbase.com/image/53568102/large.jpg[/IMG]
| driggity | 12-15-2005 01:21 PM |
[QUOTE=Ferg]I doubt that's their motive, unless they've found someone to buy Mercedes share of the team.[/QUOTE]
I doubt it too. But speculation is fun :D
I doubt it too. But speculation is fun :D
| Ferg | 12-15-2005 01:25 PM |
Whatever....
How did you like that Frank Miller book?
How did you like that Frank Miller book?
| driggity | 12-15-2005 01:46 PM |
[QUOTE=Ferg]How did you like that Frank Miller book?[/QUOTE]
Good, but much shorter than I expected.
Back on topic, is Schumacher the first driver to put a V8 car at the top of the timesheet?
Good, but much shorter than I expected.
Back on topic, is Schumacher the first driver to put a V8 car at the top of the timesheet?
| Ferg | 12-15-2005 02:16 PM |
Villeneuve did it last week with the BMW...I think Button topped a session back in November. I'm sure there's been a McLaren on top at least once.
Damn you and your questions. :p
Damn you and your questions. :p
| parker/slc/gc8fan | 12-15-2005 05:55 PM |
I wonder why we arent seeing slick tires yet?
Does anyone know if that goes into effect this year for sure?
Does anyone know if that goes into effect this year for sure?
| Ferg | 12-15-2005 09:24 PM |
No slicks for F1 until 2008, 2007 at the earliest.
GP2 should be switching to slicks next season however.
GP2 should be switching to slicks next season however.
| artkevin | 12-16-2005 09:31 AM |
The new RB2. Looks good and slick. I hope it's fast too.
[IMG]http://images.f1racing.net/large/54392.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://images.f1racing.net/large/54393.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://images.f1racing.net/large/54394.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://images.f1racing.net/large/54392.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://images.f1racing.net/large/54393.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://images.f1racing.net/large/54394.jpg[/IMG]
| Ferg | 12-16-2005 12:56 PM |
Latest testing from Jerez.
[QUOTE]Montagny back on top at Jerez
December 16th 2005, 16:48 GMT
Frenchman Franck Montagny finished on top of the times on the penultimate day of testing of the year at the Jerez circuit.
However, it was former World Champion Michael Schumacher who again shone during the session, posting the quickest time in a V8-engined car.
The German finished around three tenths of a second behind Renault test driver Montagny, the busiest man today with 114 laps completed.
Schumacher was the only Ferrari driver on track today, the German working in the morning with the V10-powered car, switching to the hybrid F2004 with the V8 engine unit in the afternoon. He covered 75 laps with the V10 and 38 with the V8, with which he posted his best lap.
"I am happy to be back driving again and I am very pleased with these two days of testing at Jerez, which went off without any particular problems," said Schumacher. "It shows the team has worked well over the past few weeks, as has Bridgestone on the tyre front. I can't wait to be back on track when testing resumes."
World Champion Fernando Alonso was back in action with the Renault team following the end of the season in China, the Spaniard completing his first and only day of work until he tests with the new R26 car in January.
Alonso worked on familiarising with the power levels of a V8 engine, although he drove the R25 with the V10 engine, which simulated eight cylinders. The Spaniard, however, was not too happy to be back in action.
"I didn't feel like coming back at all because I was on vacation and my hope was to test in January," he said.
Alonso said driving the car was not easier now, despite the reduced power levels.
"It's a big change but it's still the same to drive on the limit. When you are driving on the limit it's still fun to drive and this is still a Formula One car, the fastest car you can drive on a track.
"I felt very comfortable and the times were good. I don't think there are any changes," he added.
Indian Narain Karthikeyan completed his final day of testing with the Williams team, working alongside the British squad's German driver Nico Rosberg.
The former Jordan driver, however, endured a troubled day, causing two of the three red flags seen during the day, the first one due to an engine problem which required the unit to be changed.
Rosberg was also hit by problems, losing some time in the garage while his mechanics fixed an oil leak.
Britons Anthony Davidson and Jenson Button were the only other two drives on track, finishing fifth and sixth quickest respectively with their Honda-powered machines.
The Jerez programme will end tomorrow with a wet testing session.
Today's times:
Pos Driver Team Tyres Time Laps
1. Montagny Renault (M) 1:18.322 114 *
2. M.Schumacher Ferrari (B) 1:18.582 113
3. Alonso Renault (M) 1:18.739 97 *
4. Rosberg Williams-Cosworth (B) 1:18.894 68
5. Davidson Honda (M) 1:18.953 81
6. Button Honda (M) 1:19.651 87
7. Karthikeyan Williams-Cosworth (B) 1:20.871 34
All Timing Unofficial[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Montagny back on top at Jerez
December 16th 2005, 16:48 GMT
Frenchman Franck Montagny finished on top of the times on the penultimate day of testing of the year at the Jerez circuit.
However, it was former World Champion Michael Schumacher who again shone during the session, posting the quickest time in a V8-engined car.
The German finished around three tenths of a second behind Renault test driver Montagny, the busiest man today with 114 laps completed.
Schumacher was the only Ferrari driver on track today, the German working in the morning with the V10-powered car, switching to the hybrid F2004 with the V8 engine unit in the afternoon. He covered 75 laps with the V10 and 38 with the V8, with which he posted his best lap.
"I am happy to be back driving again and I am very pleased with these two days of testing at Jerez, which went off without any particular problems," said Schumacher. "It shows the team has worked well over the past few weeks, as has Bridgestone on the tyre front. I can't wait to be back on track when testing resumes."
World Champion Fernando Alonso was back in action with the Renault team following the end of the season in China, the Spaniard completing his first and only day of work until he tests with the new R26 car in January.
Alonso worked on familiarising with the power levels of a V8 engine, although he drove the R25 with the V10 engine, which simulated eight cylinders. The Spaniard, however, was not too happy to be back in action.
"I didn't feel like coming back at all because I was on vacation and my hope was to test in January," he said.
Alonso said driving the car was not easier now, despite the reduced power levels.
"It's a big change but it's still the same to drive on the limit. When you are driving on the limit it's still fun to drive and this is still a Formula One car, the fastest car you can drive on a track.
"I felt very comfortable and the times were good. I don't think there are any changes," he added.
Indian Narain Karthikeyan completed his final day of testing with the Williams team, working alongside the British squad's German driver Nico Rosberg.
The former Jordan driver, however, endured a troubled day, causing two of the three red flags seen during the day, the first one due to an engine problem which required the unit to be changed.
Rosberg was also hit by problems, losing some time in the garage while his mechanics fixed an oil leak.
Britons Anthony Davidson and Jenson Button were the only other two drives on track, finishing fifth and sixth quickest respectively with their Honda-powered machines.
The Jerez programme will end tomorrow with a wet testing session.
Today's times:
Pos Driver Team Tyres Time Laps
1. Montagny Renault (M) 1:18.322 114 *
2. M.Schumacher Ferrari (B) 1:18.582 113
3. Alonso Renault (M) 1:18.739 97 *
4. Rosberg Williams-Cosworth (B) 1:18.894 68
5. Davidson Honda (M) 1:18.953 81
6. Button Honda (M) 1:19.651 87
7. Karthikeyan Williams-Cosworth (B) 1:20.871 34
All Timing Unofficial[/QUOTE]
| Ferg | 12-16-2005 01:38 PM |
Alonso and DR speak out...
[QUOTE]Alonso says he feels no pressure
December 16th 2005, 17:30 GMT
World Champion Fernando Alonso says he feels no pressure to defend his title next season after becoming F1's youngest Champion in history this year.
"I feel less pressure now," Alonso told reporters at the end of testing at Jerez. "Even if I finish 20th in the next five years, I will still have been the World Champion in 2005. I am not too stressed about this.
"I have much much less pressure than I had all my life, I was a young driver with talent, who might become a future champion.
"Now I am not anymore that driver who has to prove he can be champion. I have proved it already. This pressure came from me, not outside."
The Renault driver, who won the title at the age of 24, had not returned to the wheel of his car since the season finished in China in October. His team, however, called him up to do a one-day test to get used to the power levels of V8 engines ahead of next season.
Alonso played down suggestions that the cars are now easier to drive, but he admitted the loss of power was significant.
"Some drivers said it is easier to drive, that we have too much grip for the power we have, I do not think so," Alonso added. "I think when you drive the car to the limit, it is the same. It does not matter if it is F3 or F1 with a v10, the important thing is to drive the car to the limit.
"Maybe we have too much downforce for this power, but as I said, when you drive to the limit, it is as fun as last year, as dangerous as last year.
"It was down on power obviously, a little bit strange to drive, but it is the same for everybody, so there is nothing you can do, you just have to get used to the power now, and hopefully the V8 we will test in January will be better than this one," he added.
"Because the feeling was not very nice, but the times are good, and I believe the car will be good, so we will be competitive again."
Alonso will not be back in action until Renault test their new car, the R26, on 10 January at Jerez.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Richards: BMW wrong to keep Villeneuve
December 16th 2005, 18:01 GMT
Former BAR team chief David Richards believes the BMW team have made an error in retaining Jacques Villeneuve for next season.
BMW, who took over the Sauber team this year, announced the former World Champion would stay with them in 2006, when the German carmaker will race under its own name.
34-year old Villeneuve struggled to match teammate Felipe Massa's pace in the early races of this year, and he was not confirmed at BMW until this month despite having signed a two-year contract with Sauber.
Richards, who was Villeneuve's team boss until he fell out with the Canadian during the 2003 season, believes the 1997 Champion is "past his sell-by date".
"People have to make their own judgements on Jacques, and I made mine years ago," Richards told F1 Racing magazine.
"Bluntly, he's past his sell-by date, and has been for some time," added Richards, whose spat with Villeneuve led to the Canadian leaving BAR before the end of the 2003 season.
"I know that [BMW boss] Mario [Theissen] is retaining Jacques' services, but if I'd been him I wouldn't have even entertained the idea. In a difficult year - and 2006 will definitely be difficult for BMW � the last thing they need is someone like Jacques."
Richards admitted he was also surprised Sauber had chosen Villeneuve after he sat out most of 2004 after being dropped by BAR.
"I was surprised to see that Peter employed Jacques � and even more surprised when he explained the appointment by boasting that at last Sauber had hired a World Champion," added Richards. "It was a very odd decision, and it certainly didn't seem to work out.
"I sensed there were periods in the middle of the season, and even early on, where Peter's famously calm exterior showed the extent of his frustration with the Jacques situation."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Alonso says he feels no pressure
December 16th 2005, 17:30 GMT
World Champion Fernando Alonso says he feels no pressure to defend his title next season after becoming F1's youngest Champion in history this year.
"I feel less pressure now," Alonso told reporters at the end of testing at Jerez. "Even if I finish 20th in the next five years, I will still have been the World Champion in 2005. I am not too stressed about this.
"I have much much less pressure than I had all my life, I was a young driver with talent, who might become a future champion.
"Now I am not anymore that driver who has to prove he can be champion. I have proved it already. This pressure came from me, not outside."
The Renault driver, who won the title at the age of 24, had not returned to the wheel of his car since the season finished in China in October. His team, however, called him up to do a one-day test to get used to the power levels of V8 engines ahead of next season.
Alonso played down suggestions that the cars are now easier to drive, but he admitted the loss of power was significant.
"Some drivers said it is easier to drive, that we have too much grip for the power we have, I do not think so," Alonso added. "I think when you drive the car to the limit, it is the same. It does not matter if it is F3 or F1 with a v10, the important thing is to drive the car to the limit.
"Maybe we have too much downforce for this power, but as I said, when you drive to the limit, it is as fun as last year, as dangerous as last year.
"It was down on power obviously, a little bit strange to drive, but it is the same for everybody, so there is nothing you can do, you just have to get used to the power now, and hopefully the V8 we will test in January will be better than this one," he added.
"Because the feeling was not very nice, but the times are good, and I believe the car will be good, so we will be competitive again."
Alonso will not be back in action until Renault test their new car, the R26, on 10 January at Jerez.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Richards: BMW wrong to keep Villeneuve
December 16th 2005, 18:01 GMT
Former BAR team chief David Richards believes the BMW team have made an error in retaining Jacques Villeneuve for next season.
BMW, who took over the Sauber team this year, announced the former World Champion would stay with them in 2006, when the German carmaker will race under its own name.
34-year old Villeneuve struggled to match teammate Felipe Massa's pace in the early races of this year, and he was not confirmed at BMW until this month despite having signed a two-year contract with Sauber.
Richards, who was Villeneuve's team boss until he fell out with the Canadian during the 2003 season, believes the 1997 Champion is "past his sell-by date".
"People have to make their own judgements on Jacques, and I made mine years ago," Richards told F1 Racing magazine.
"Bluntly, he's past his sell-by date, and has been for some time," added Richards, whose spat with Villeneuve led to the Canadian leaving BAR before the end of the 2003 season.
"I know that [BMW boss] Mario [Theissen] is retaining Jacques' services, but if I'd been him I wouldn't have even entertained the idea. In a difficult year - and 2006 will definitely be difficult for BMW � the last thing they need is someone like Jacques."
Richards admitted he was also surprised Sauber had chosen Villeneuve after he sat out most of 2004 after being dropped by BAR.
"I was surprised to see that Peter employed Jacques � and even more surprised when he explained the appointment by boasting that at last Sauber had hired a World Champion," added Richards. "It was a very odd decision, and it certainly didn't seem to work out.
"I sensed there were periods in the middle of the season, and even early on, where Peter's famously calm exterior showed the extent of his frustration with the Jacques situation."[/QUOTE]
| Ferg | 12-16-2005 01:45 PM |
Oh and here's an online comic book done by Sony with Alonso as it's hero...
[url]http://www.sector97.com/[/url]
It's um, really really awful.
[url]http://www.sector97.com/[/url]
It's um, really really awful.
| artkevin | 12-16-2005 04:07 PM |
[QUOTE=Ferg]Oh and here's an online comic book done by Sony with Alonso as it's hero...
[url]http://www.sector97.com/[/url]
It's um, really really awful.[/QUOTE]
Samir doesn't like this idea one bit.
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v617/natsflop/samir.jpg[/IMG]
[url]http://www.sector97.com/[/url]
It's um, really really awful.[/QUOTE]
Samir doesn't like this idea one bit.
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v617/natsflop/samir.jpg[/IMG]
| Ferg | 12-16-2005 04:16 PM |
:lol:
Oh snap! Looks like an American journalist got his hands on an older version of the Concord Agreement...
[QUOTE]Concorde Agreement made public
December 16th 2005, 20:49 GMT
A 1997 version of the Concorde Agreement has been made public for the first time, as a U.S. based motorsport news agency offered the document to its subscribers.
RaceFax Online, a motorsport newletter service run by veteran journalist Forrest Bond, has offered its clients a copy of the 100-page document in PDF format. Only paying subscribers may request to receive the file by email.
Bond said he was sent a copy of the Concorde in 1997 by an anonymous source. Other journalists had also received a copy of the document, but all had elected to keep it confidential.
However, Bond said he felt the time was now right to reveal the full agreement.
"While we are not bound by the confidentially agreement, we chose to observe it," Bond explained, "but recent events surrounding the dispute between the FIA/Bernie Ecclestone and the Grand Prix Manufacturers Assn. have led us to the decision to make the Concorde available."
The agreement published by RaceFax is not the latest one, as changes were made to the Concorde Agreement in 1998, when it was also extended until the end of 2007.
Nevertheless, the released document offers insight into the running of Formula One and the commercial and regulatory relationship between the FIA, FOM and the teams.
It details the procedures and responsibility of the Formula One commission and Technical Working Group, as well as a rather complex legal agreement on the drivers' recognition board.
Perhaps the most secretive element of the Concorde for years, though, had been the breakdown of payments to the teams. However, the document does little to make the picture clearer for the fans.
The agreement states the top ten teams will receive equal shares of 47% of the TV money, but the prize money is broken down under a more complex scheme (see below).
Bond said he did not know what results this publication of the Concorde Agreement would lead to, but he said he expects "they will be few, and lacking any real impact."
Extract from the 1997 Concorde Agreement:
THE PRIZE FUND
3.1 The Commercial Rights Holder shall divide the Prize Fund into three (3) parts and pay the share due to the Competitor in accordance with the provisions of this Clause 3, as follows:
(a) twenty per cent (20%) according to final qualifying results;
(b) forty-five per cent (45%) according to race results;
(c) thirty-five per cent (35%) by way of fixed compensation.
Subject to Clause 6, the payments referred to in Clause 3.1 shall be distributed according to the following scale:
(a) Final Qualifying results (20%)
1st: 2.00% 6th: 1.30% 11th: 0.85% 16th: 0.60%
2nd: 1.75% 7th: 1.20% 12th: 0.80% 17th: 0.55%
3rd: 1.60% 8th: 1.10% 13th: 0.75% 18th: 0.50%
4th: 1.50% 9th: 1.00% 14th: 0.70% 19th: 0.45%
5th: 1.40% 10th: 0.90% 15th: 0.65% 20th: 0.40%
(b) Race Results (45%)
------ Distance ------
1/4 1/2 3/4 Finish
1st: 1.020% 1.020% 1.020% 5.440%
2nd: 0.780% 0.780% 0.780% 4.160%
3rd: 0.630% 0.630% 0.630% 3.360%
4th: 0.510% 0.510% 0.510% 2.720%
5th: 0.390% 0.390% 0.390% 2.080%
6th: 0.300% 0.300% 0.300% 1.600%
7th: 0.240% 0.240% 0.240% 1.280%
8th: 0.216% 0.216% 0.216% 1.152%
9th: 0.192% 0.192% 0.192% 1.024%
10th: 0.168% 0.168% 0.168% 0.896%
11th: 0.150% 0.150% 0.150% 0.800%
12th: 0.138% 0.138% 0.138% 0.736%
13th: 0.126% 0.126% 0.126% 0.672%
14th: 0.114% 0.114% 0.114% 0.608%
15th: 0.102% 0.102% 0.102% 0.544%
16th: 0.090% 0.090% 0.090% 0.480%
17th: 0.078% 0.078% 0.078% 0.416%
18th: 0.066% 0.066% 0.066% 0.352%
19th: 0.054% 0.054% 0.054% 0.288%
20th: 0.036% 0.036% 0.036% 0.192%
(Distances to be rounded up to a whole number of laps)
(c) Fixed Compensation (35%):
shall be divided into two equal parts of 17.5% each:
(i) one such part shall be distributed to the competitors in proportion to the number of FIA F1 Championship points scored by each competitor in the previous two half seasons; and
(ii) the other such part shall be distributed equally among the top ten competitors in the FIA F1 Championship for the previous two half seasons and if the top ten competitors represent less than twenty cars to the next highest competitor and so on until compensation has been distributed to twenty cars provided that no competitor shall be entitled to such distribution in respect of a number of cars other than that which it entered for the whole of the previous FIA F1 championship and in any event shall not be so entitled in respect of more than two cars. [/QUOTE]
Oh snap! Looks like an American journalist got his hands on an older version of the Concord Agreement...
[QUOTE]Concorde Agreement made public
December 16th 2005, 20:49 GMT
A 1997 version of the Concorde Agreement has been made public for the first time, as a U.S. based motorsport news agency offered the document to its subscribers.
RaceFax Online, a motorsport newletter service run by veteran journalist Forrest Bond, has offered its clients a copy of the 100-page document in PDF format. Only paying subscribers may request to receive the file by email.
Bond said he was sent a copy of the Concorde in 1997 by an anonymous source. Other journalists had also received a copy of the document, but all had elected to keep it confidential.
However, Bond said he felt the time was now right to reveal the full agreement.
"While we are not bound by the confidentially agreement, we chose to observe it," Bond explained, "but recent events surrounding the dispute between the FIA/Bernie Ecclestone and the Grand Prix Manufacturers Assn. have led us to the decision to make the Concorde available."
The agreement published by RaceFax is not the latest one, as changes were made to the Concorde Agreement in 1998, when it was also extended until the end of 2007.
Nevertheless, the released document offers insight into the running of Formula One and the commercial and regulatory relationship between the FIA, FOM and the teams.
It details the procedures and responsibility of the Formula One commission and Technical Working Group, as well as a rather complex legal agreement on the drivers' recognition board.
Perhaps the most secretive element of the Concorde for years, though, had been the breakdown of payments to the teams. However, the document does little to make the picture clearer for the fans.
The agreement states the top ten teams will receive equal shares of 47% of the TV money, but the prize money is broken down under a more complex scheme (see below).
Bond said he did not know what results this publication of the Concorde Agreement would lead to, but he said he expects "they will be few, and lacking any real impact."
Extract from the 1997 Concorde Agreement:
THE PRIZE FUND
3.1 The Commercial Rights Holder shall divide the Prize Fund into three (3) parts and pay the share due to the Competitor in accordance with the provisions of this Clause 3, as follows:
(a) twenty per cent (20%) according to final qualifying results;
(b) forty-five per cent (45%) according to race results;
(c) thirty-five per cent (35%) by way of fixed compensation.
Subject to Clause 6, the payments referred to in Clause 3.1 shall be distributed according to the following scale:
(a) Final Qualifying results (20%)
1st: 2.00% 6th: 1.30% 11th: 0.85% 16th: 0.60%
2nd: 1.75% 7th: 1.20% 12th: 0.80% 17th: 0.55%
3rd: 1.60% 8th: 1.10% 13th: 0.75% 18th: 0.50%
4th: 1.50% 9th: 1.00% 14th: 0.70% 19th: 0.45%
5th: 1.40% 10th: 0.90% 15th: 0.65% 20th: 0.40%
(b) Race Results (45%)
------ Distance ------
1/4 1/2 3/4 Finish
1st: 1.020% 1.020% 1.020% 5.440%
2nd: 0.780% 0.780% 0.780% 4.160%
3rd: 0.630% 0.630% 0.630% 3.360%
4th: 0.510% 0.510% 0.510% 2.720%
5th: 0.390% 0.390% 0.390% 2.080%
6th: 0.300% 0.300% 0.300% 1.600%
7th: 0.240% 0.240% 0.240% 1.280%
8th: 0.216% 0.216% 0.216% 1.152%
9th: 0.192% 0.192% 0.192% 1.024%
10th: 0.168% 0.168% 0.168% 0.896%
11th: 0.150% 0.150% 0.150% 0.800%
12th: 0.138% 0.138% 0.138% 0.736%
13th: 0.126% 0.126% 0.126% 0.672%
14th: 0.114% 0.114% 0.114% 0.608%
15th: 0.102% 0.102% 0.102% 0.544%
16th: 0.090% 0.090% 0.090% 0.480%
17th: 0.078% 0.078% 0.078% 0.416%
18th: 0.066% 0.066% 0.066% 0.352%
19th: 0.054% 0.054% 0.054% 0.288%
20th: 0.036% 0.036% 0.036% 0.192%
(Distances to be rounded up to a whole number of laps)
(c) Fixed Compensation (35%):
shall be divided into two equal parts of 17.5% each:
(i) one such part shall be distributed to the competitors in proportion to the number of FIA F1 Championship points scored by each competitor in the previous two half seasons; and
(ii) the other such part shall be distributed equally among the top ten competitors in the FIA F1 Championship for the previous two half seasons and if the top ten competitors represent less than twenty cars to the next highest competitor and so on until compensation has been distributed to twenty cars provided that no competitor shall be entitled to such distribution in respect of a number of cars other than that which it entered for the whole of the previous FIA F1 championship and in any event shall not be so entitled in respect of more than two cars. [/QUOTE]
| artkevin | 12-16-2005 04:27 PM |
I see Bernie and Max crawlin' up someone's butt in the VERY near future.
| Fox | 12-19-2005 09:10 AM |
I just wanted to give this thread a bump with the news that Alonso has announced he will be joining McLaren in 2007.
[URL=http://www.f1racing.net/en/news.php?newsID=105744]Alonso joins McLaren [/URL]
[URL=http://www.f1racing.net/en/news.php?newsID=105744]Alonso joins McLaren [/URL]
| artkevin | 12-19-2005 09:22 AM |
So for some reason I get the feeling that this means JPM and not Kimi will be headed to Ferrari in 2007. Just feeling I get. How in the world can the 2007 silly season already be in full swing when we aren't even to 2006 yet?
| TimStevens | 12-19-2005 09:34 AM |
[QUOTE=Fox]I just wanted to give this thread a bump with the news that Alonso has announced he will be joining McLaren in 2007.
[URL=http://www.f1racing.net/en/news.php?newsID=105744]Alonso joins McLaren [/URL][/QUOTE]
Whaaa? What's with McLaren drivers announcing a year in advance where they're headed? It was weird when Montoya did it, this is even more odd.
[URL=http://www.f1racing.net/en/news.php?newsID=105744]Alonso joins McLaren [/URL][/QUOTE]
Whaaa? What's with McLaren drivers announcing a year in advance where they're headed? It was weird when Montoya did it, this is even more odd.
| Fox | 12-19-2005 10:11 AM |
[QUOTE=TimStevens]Whaaa? What's with McLaren drivers announcing a year in advance where they're headed? It was weird when Montoya did it, this is even more odd.[/QUOTE]
One of the rumors is that Renault will be pulling out of F1 after next season, having accomplished their goals of winning the WDC and WCC. If so, this could be a case of Alonso cementing his seat in the future.
One of the rumors is that Renault will be pulling out of F1 after next season, having accomplished their goals of winning the WDC and WCC. If so, this could be a case of Alonso cementing his seat in the future.
| TimStevens | 12-19-2005 10:15 AM |
Whoa... wow. That'd be interesting too. I hope F1 doesn't go the WRC route, with all the big names running for the hills.
| artkevin | 12-19-2005 10:24 AM |
Renault was rumored to have plans to pull out but I thought they changed their mind with the overwhelming success of '05. I guess I am wrong. Seems like Flavio would have held on to him with both hands being that he's still in his early 20s.
I think McLaren might have done this to force Kimi's hand on signing with Ferrari. JPM and Kimi are now in a race for the other seat for '07 and the one the re-ups will be rewarded. If JPM does it, Kimi will most likey loose a lot of leverage as far as money for Ferrari if he waits too long.
I think McLaren might have done this to force Kimi's hand on signing with Ferrari. JPM and Kimi are now in a race for the other seat for '07 and the one the re-ups will be rewarded. If JPM does it, Kimi will most likey loose a lot of leverage as far as money for Ferrari if he waits too long.
| Ferg | 12-19-2005 11:20 AM |
Crazy..the world has gone crazy.
[QUOTE]Alonso signs with McLaren for 2007
By Jonathan Noble December 19th 2005, 10:59 GMT
Fernando Alonso will make a surprise switch to McLaren in 2007 after deciding to turn his back on the Renault team that helped him capture the Formula One World Championship this year.
The deal comes just days after McLaren announced a major new sponsorship deal with mobile telephone network supplier Vodafone from the start of the 2007 campaign.
Alonso, who had been widely expected to remain with Renault after his contract expired at the end of 2006, said: "To become part of a team with such a desire to succeed and passion for performance is a dream come true for any Formula One driver.
"I'm very excited about 2007 and the fantastic opportunity to drive for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. It will be a new beginning for me and a tremendous challenge and from what I have heard about this exciting new Partnership there is something to look forward to.
"Obviously I will be sad to leave Renault but sometimes possibilities come along which are just too good to miss. I'm pleased that we are able to make this announcement already now as it will allow my current team and I to focus 100 per cent on defending the World Championships next year."
McLaren boss Ron Dennis said: "It's great that our strong belief in the strength and competitiveness of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes package has been further endorsed by the World Champion.
"We always make it clear that we want to be the best and the only way of achieving this objective is by attracting the best people, the best drivers and the best sponsors. To be able to announce Vodafone as only McLaren's third title partner in more than 30 years and Fernando's employment within only a few days is fantastic news for the team, our Partners, Formula One and the fans."
The contracts of McLaren's drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen are both up for renewal at the end of the season and the team are is talks with both of them about their future deals. Raikkonen has already been linked with a switch to Ferrari in 2007.
Dennis added: "We are in discussions with our current drivers' Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya regarding the 2007 season.
"Both Juan Pablo and Kimi are extremely talented, professional and competitive Formula One drivers and they have and will continue to concentrate on our joint challenge for the Championships.
"Fernando and McLaren Mercedes wanted to make the announcement as soon as possible in a controlled and professional manner to allow McLaren Mercedes, Fernando, Kimi and Juan Pablo to focus on the preparations for the 2006 season. Our aim for next year remains absolutely clear to everybody within the team - we want to win races and be in a position where we might have two Formula One World Champions driving for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes in 2007."
Mercedes-Benz motorsport boss Norbert Haug added: "We are pleased to welcome Fernando to the team and look forward to working both with him and our new title sponsor in 2007.
"To have a World Champion joining the team is a great endorsement and will create a tremendous amount of excitement. However for now our focus must remain on the 2006 season where we want to go one better than we did in 2005."
Renault have not yet commented on Alonso's decision but they are expected to do so later today.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Analysis: Alonso move throws market open
By Jonathan Noble December 19th 2005, 12:44 GMT
Fernando Alonso's decision to make an early move and commit himself to McLaren for 2007 looks set to kick off what could become Formula One's biggest ever silly season of driver moves.
Only six drivers currently have a firm contracts for 2007: Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button at Honda; Ralf Schumacher at Toyota; Nick Heidfeld at BMW; Nico Rosberg at Williams; and now Alonso at McLaren.
This means the fight is now underway for what could be up to 16 vacant seats that are up for grabs.
And with such an open battle to get signatures on contracts, it is clearly going to be an advantage to those drivers who can make an early move and get their future sorted out as quickly as possible.
Alonso's move has closed off one of the seats at McLaren, meaning that one of the team's current line-up of Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya is going to have to move on.
The smart money is already on Raikkonen being that man, with sources claiming earlier this summer that the Finn has already signed some kind of option with Ferrari.
It is no secret that Raikkonen has got frustrated with the reliability issues that have cost him two world titles at McLaren and he would be the perfect fit at Maranello as they ponder a possible replacement for Michael Schumacher.
But Schumacher is by no means certain to hang up his helmet at the end of next season. His impressive return to testing with Ferrari at Jerez last week showed that his motivation has not waned at all - and there have even been wild rumours of a final swansong with Ferrari power at Red Bull Racing for 2007 if he cannot agree a deal to carry on at Maranello.
Ferrari certainly have plenty of options - with Felipe Massa likely to show next season whether or not he has got what it takes to race at the front, while Valentino Rossi will be by that stage more conclusive as to whether he wants an F1 future or not.
But where does Alonso's departure leave Renault? The main question is not who the French squad are considering drafting in to replace the Spaniard (Flavio Briatore has already said that Heikki Kovalainen is '90 percent certain to race for them'), but whether the team will actually compete in 2007 at all.
There have been rumours ever since Renault's CEO Carlos Ghosn was appointed in April that he was never completely convinced about the returns of the massive investment required to compete in F1.
Ghosn is reported to be prepared to lodge his three-year plan for Renault with the company's board on February 9th, amid losses reported and the backdrop of a huge budget cut at the company.
Patrick Faure, Renault Sport chairman, said in an interview with the Bloomberg news agency this week that F1's budget would not be cut next year, although their other motorsport activities could be downsized.
Renault's F1 budget is not as big as that of rival teams, and if the French car manufacturer wants to make cuts throughout the company then in the long term the team's financial situation may get worse - which could have a negative impact on the F1 team's competitiveness.
Ghosn recently made it clear that Renault's achievements in F1 would be measured by car sales in new markets and not by more triumphs on the track.
"The objective will be to associate this winning car, and winning team, to the models we offer our customers on the market," he told Renault guests at a celebration event in Paris last month.
"The campaign around our success will intensify, to show our customers that the reliability and technical excellence of our Formula 1 cars is also that of the products we sell. Furthermore, in the markets where Renault's brand awareness is currently low, we must exploit this success to tell people about Renault, and that Renault are champions."
Renault's decision about their F1 team will likely manifest itself early next year when it becomes clear whether or not they are chasing hard to land a big name to replace Alonso.
As well as Kovalainen, Giancarlo Fisichella will clearly feel he has a chance of remaining after his contract expires at the end of 2006, while Briatore-managed Mark Webber would be another contender after his deal with Williams runs out.
Should any of those men be snapped up elsewhere early next year, then the likelihood is that a decision to pull-out will have been made.
All of these moves will be of little interest to Alonso, however, whose future is now guaranteed. He can instead just focus on retaining his title next year before he begins a new chapter in his career.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Alonso signs with McLaren for 2007
By Jonathan Noble December 19th 2005, 10:59 GMT
Fernando Alonso will make a surprise switch to McLaren in 2007 after deciding to turn his back on the Renault team that helped him capture the Formula One World Championship this year.
The deal comes just days after McLaren announced a major new sponsorship deal with mobile telephone network supplier Vodafone from the start of the 2007 campaign.
Alonso, who had been widely expected to remain with Renault after his contract expired at the end of 2006, said: "To become part of a team with such a desire to succeed and passion for performance is a dream come true for any Formula One driver.
"I'm very excited about 2007 and the fantastic opportunity to drive for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. It will be a new beginning for me and a tremendous challenge and from what I have heard about this exciting new Partnership there is something to look forward to.
"Obviously I will be sad to leave Renault but sometimes possibilities come along which are just too good to miss. I'm pleased that we are able to make this announcement already now as it will allow my current team and I to focus 100 per cent on defending the World Championships next year."
McLaren boss Ron Dennis said: "It's great that our strong belief in the strength and competitiveness of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes package has been further endorsed by the World Champion.
"We always make it clear that we want to be the best and the only way of achieving this objective is by attracting the best people, the best drivers and the best sponsors. To be able to announce Vodafone as only McLaren's third title partner in more than 30 years and Fernando's employment within only a few days is fantastic news for the team, our Partners, Formula One and the fans."
The contracts of McLaren's drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen are both up for renewal at the end of the season and the team are is talks with both of them about their future deals. Raikkonen has already been linked with a switch to Ferrari in 2007.
Dennis added: "We are in discussions with our current drivers' Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya regarding the 2007 season.
"Both Juan Pablo and Kimi are extremely talented, professional and competitive Formula One drivers and they have and will continue to concentrate on our joint challenge for the Championships.
"Fernando and McLaren Mercedes wanted to make the announcement as soon as possible in a controlled and professional manner to allow McLaren Mercedes, Fernando, Kimi and Juan Pablo to focus on the preparations for the 2006 season. Our aim for next year remains absolutely clear to everybody within the team - we want to win races and be in a position where we might have two Formula One World Champions driving for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes in 2007."
Mercedes-Benz motorsport boss Norbert Haug added: "We are pleased to welcome Fernando to the team and look forward to working both with him and our new title sponsor in 2007.
"To have a World Champion joining the team is a great endorsement and will create a tremendous amount of excitement. However for now our focus must remain on the 2006 season where we want to go one better than we did in 2005."
Renault have not yet commented on Alonso's decision but they are expected to do so later today.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Analysis: Alonso move throws market open
By Jonathan Noble December 19th 2005, 12:44 GMT
Fernando Alonso's decision to make an early move and commit himself to McLaren for 2007 looks set to kick off what could become Formula One's biggest ever silly season of driver moves.
Only six drivers currently have a firm contracts for 2007: Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button at Honda; Ralf Schumacher at Toyota; Nick Heidfeld at BMW; Nico Rosberg at Williams; and now Alonso at McLaren.
This means the fight is now underway for what could be up to 16 vacant seats that are up for grabs.
And with such an open battle to get signatures on contracts, it is clearly going to be an advantage to those drivers who can make an early move and get their future sorted out as quickly as possible.
Alonso's move has closed off one of the seats at McLaren, meaning that one of the team's current line-up of Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya is going to have to move on.
The smart money is already on Raikkonen being that man, with sources claiming earlier this summer that the Finn has already signed some kind of option with Ferrari.
It is no secret that Raikkonen has got frustrated with the reliability issues that have cost him two world titles at McLaren and he would be the perfect fit at Maranello as they ponder a possible replacement for Michael Schumacher.
But Schumacher is by no means certain to hang up his helmet at the end of next season. His impressive return to testing with Ferrari at Jerez last week showed that his motivation has not waned at all - and there have even been wild rumours of a final swansong with Ferrari power at Red Bull Racing for 2007 if he cannot agree a deal to carry on at Maranello.
Ferrari certainly have plenty of options - with Felipe Massa likely to show next season whether or not he has got what it takes to race at the front, while Valentino Rossi will be by that stage more conclusive as to whether he wants an F1 future or not.
But where does Alonso's departure leave Renault? The main question is not who the French squad are considering drafting in to replace the Spaniard (Flavio Briatore has already said that Heikki Kovalainen is '90 percent certain to race for them'), but whether the team will actually compete in 2007 at all.
There have been rumours ever since Renault's CEO Carlos Ghosn was appointed in April that he was never completely convinced about the returns of the massive investment required to compete in F1.
Ghosn is reported to be prepared to lodge his three-year plan for Renault with the company's board on February 9th, amid losses reported and the backdrop of a huge budget cut at the company.
Patrick Faure, Renault Sport chairman, said in an interview with the Bloomberg news agency this week that F1's budget would not be cut next year, although their other motorsport activities could be downsized.
Renault's F1 budget is not as big as that of rival teams, and if the French car manufacturer wants to make cuts throughout the company then in the long term the team's financial situation may get worse - which could have a negative impact on the F1 team's competitiveness.
Ghosn recently made it clear that Renault's achievements in F1 would be measured by car sales in new markets and not by more triumphs on the track.
"The objective will be to associate this winning car, and winning team, to the models we offer our customers on the market," he told Renault guests at a celebration event in Paris last month.
"The campaign around our success will intensify, to show our customers that the reliability and technical excellence of our Formula 1 cars is also that of the products we sell. Furthermore, in the markets where Renault's brand awareness is currently low, we must exploit this success to tell people about Renault, and that Renault are champions."
Renault's decision about their F1 team will likely manifest itself early next year when it becomes clear whether or not they are chasing hard to land a big name to replace Alonso.
As well as Kovalainen, Giancarlo Fisichella will clearly feel he has a chance of remaining after his contract expires at the end of 2006, while Briatore-managed Mark Webber would be another contender after his deal with Williams runs out.
Should any of those men be snapped up elsewhere early next year, then the likelihood is that a decision to pull-out will have been made.
All of these moves will be of little interest to Alonso, however, whose future is now guaranteed. He can instead just focus on retaining his title next year before he begins a new chapter in his career.[/QUOTE]
| Dussander | 12-19-2005 11:37 AM |
wow. just wow. I didn't expect that.
| Harvey_Mushman | 12-19-2005 11:49 AM |
Hmm, you throw Rossi into the mix and things get really interesting. What chance do you think there is of him signing for Ferrari and Schumi going to Red Bull? Kimi and Rossi at Ferrari?
| grandpa rex | 12-19-2005 12:12 PM |
Ferrari would love to have an Italian driving. Rossi's a God in Italy. If Massa doesn't win the chanpionship in the big car, I see Raikkonen and Rossi as the Ferrari drivers in 2007. I think that Schumi will actually retire rather than taking a Red Bull or any other drive in an ordinary car.
| Ferg | 12-19-2005 12:23 PM |
Reactions....
[QUOTE]Alonso vows to remain focused in 2006
December 19th 2005, 12:19 GMT
World champion Fernando Alonso has vowed to remain fully focused on retaining his title with Renault next season, despite his shock move in joining McLaren in 2007.
The Spaniard's decision to switch teams was announced on this morning and comes amid claims that he fancied a new challenge in his career.
"As everybody will now be aware, I have taken the decision to leave Renault after the 2006 season," said Alonso.
"I achieved my lifetime ambition with Renault this year, and for my career, I felt that it was time for a new challenge. That will be to try and win with another team.
"At this point in time, though, I am concentrating on 2006. Renault brought me into Formula One, brought me my first title, and I will be working to repeat that success next year.
"The signs so far are very positive on every level. I am confident the chassis will be quick, and the engine team are doing a fantastic job on the new V8. I am looking forward to a very successful 2006 season."
Alonso joined Renault for testing at Jerez in Spain last week but will not get his first taste of the team's 2006 car and engine until January.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Faure disappointed with Alonso's decision
December 19th 2005, 12:16 GMT
Renault F1 Team President Patrick Faure admitted he was disappointed to learn of Fernando Alonso's decision to leave the team for McLaren in 2007, but the Frenchman said he accepted the Spaniard's reasons for this move.
McLaren announced earlier today they have signed the 2005 World Champion, who will join the Woking-based team after five years with Renault.
Alonso made his F1 debut in 2001 with Minardi, while remaining under Renault contract, and after a year of testing for Renault in 2002, he became their leading driver, winning his first Grand Prix in 2003 and becoming the youngest ever F1 champion in 2005.
And Faure said he understood the Spaniard's wish to find a fresh challenge and a new direction in his racing career.
"The Renault F1 Team and Fernando Alonso have enjoyed historic successes together since he joined the team in 2002," Faure said in a statement.
"I was disappointed to learn of Fernando's decision but, by the end of 2006, he will have spent five seasons with Renault. Fresh challenges are essential for any sportsman, and he has taken the decision to pursue a new direction in his career. That is part of Formula One, and part of life.
"Our priority at the moment is 2006. We aim to maintain our level of performance in next year with an aggressive technical programme and competitive approach.
"The teams at Viry and Enstone proved this year that they can do the job, and every member of the team is working 100% to produce a package that will allow both Fernando and Giancarlo Fisichella to defend the team's position as world champions. Our aim will be to win again in 2006."[/QUOTE]
So the 2007 F1 grid is going to be a very, very strange place...
[QUOTE]Only six drivers currently have a firm contracts for 2007: Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button at Honda; Ralf Schumacher at Toyota; Nick Heidfeld at BMW; Nico Rosberg at Williams; and now Alonso at McLaren.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Alonso vows to remain focused in 2006
December 19th 2005, 12:19 GMT
World champion Fernando Alonso has vowed to remain fully focused on retaining his title with Renault next season, despite his shock move in joining McLaren in 2007.
The Spaniard's decision to switch teams was announced on this morning and comes amid claims that he fancied a new challenge in his career.
"As everybody will now be aware, I have taken the decision to leave Renault after the 2006 season," said Alonso.
"I achieved my lifetime ambition with Renault this year, and for my career, I felt that it was time for a new challenge. That will be to try and win with another team.
"At this point in time, though, I am concentrating on 2006. Renault brought me into Formula One, brought me my first title, and I will be working to repeat that success next year.
"The signs so far are very positive on every level. I am confident the chassis will be quick, and the engine team are doing a fantastic job on the new V8. I am looking forward to a very successful 2006 season."
Alonso joined Renault for testing at Jerez in Spain last week but will not get his first taste of the team's 2006 car and engine until January.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Faure disappointed with Alonso's decision
December 19th 2005, 12:16 GMT
Renault F1 Team President Patrick Faure admitted he was disappointed to learn of Fernando Alonso's decision to leave the team for McLaren in 2007, but the Frenchman said he accepted the Spaniard's reasons for this move.
McLaren announced earlier today they have signed the 2005 World Champion, who will join the Woking-based team after five years with Renault.
Alonso made his F1 debut in 2001 with Minardi, while remaining under Renault contract, and after a year of testing for Renault in 2002, he became their leading driver, winning his first Grand Prix in 2003 and becoming the youngest ever F1 champion in 2005.
And Faure said he understood the Spaniard's wish to find a fresh challenge and a new direction in his racing career.
"The Renault F1 Team and Fernando Alonso have enjoyed historic successes together since he joined the team in 2002," Faure said in a statement.
"I was disappointed to learn of Fernando's decision but, by the end of 2006, he will have spent five seasons with Renault. Fresh challenges are essential for any sportsman, and he has taken the decision to pursue a new direction in his career. That is part of Formula One, and part of life.
"Our priority at the moment is 2006. We aim to maintain our level of performance in next year with an aggressive technical programme and competitive approach.
"The teams at Viry and Enstone proved this year that they can do the job, and every member of the team is working 100% to produce a package that will allow both Fernando and Giancarlo Fisichella to defend the team's position as world champions. Our aim will be to win again in 2006."[/QUOTE]
So the 2007 F1 grid is going to be a very, very strange place...
[QUOTE]Only six drivers currently have a firm contracts for 2007: Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button at Honda; Ralf Schumacher at Toyota; Nick Heidfeld at BMW; Nico Rosberg at Williams; and now Alonso at McLaren.[/QUOTE]
| tdm74 | 12-19-2005 12:36 PM |
wow, just think if Kimi stays with McLaren, (which I don't really think will happen). It will be like Senna, Prost v 2.0
| Ferg | 12-19-2005 12:37 PM |
So let's play some fill in the blanks...
Who would you like to see go where for 2007.
[QUOTE]2007.....
Renault
1
2
McLaren Mercedes
3 Fernando Alonso (E)
4
Ferrari
5
6
Toyota
7 Ralf Schumacher (D)
8
Williams Cosworth
9
10 Nico Rosberg (D)
Honda
11 Rubens Barrichello (BR)
12 Jenson Button (GB)
Red Bull Ferrari
14
15
BMW Sauber
16 Nick Heidfeld (D)
17
MF1 Racing Toyota
18
19
Scuderia Toro Rosso Cosworth
20
21
[/QUOTE]
We'll leave out the "maybe" teams for now.
Here's the 2006 lineup to help out.
[QUOTE]
Renault (M)
1 Fernando Alonso (E)
2 Giancarlo Fisichella (I)
McLaren Mercedes (M)
3 Kimi Raikkonen (FIN)
4 Juan Pablo Montoya (CO)
Ferrari (B)
5 Michael Schumacher (D)
6 Felipe Massa (BR)
Toyota (B)
7 Ralf Schumacher (D)
8 Jarno Trulli (I)
Williams Cosworth + (B)
9 Mark Webber (AUS)
10 Nico Rosberg (D)
Honda + (M)
11 Rubens Barrichello (BR)
12 Jenson Button (GB)
Red Bull Ferrari + (M)
14 David Coulthard (GB)
15 Christian Klien (AT)
BMW Sauber + (M)
16 Nick Heidfeld (D)
17 Jacques Villeneuve (CN)
MF1 Racing Toyota + (B)
18 Tiago Monteiro (P)
19 Christijan Albers (NL)
Scuderia Toro Rosso Cosworth + (M)
20 Vitantonio Liuzzi (I)
21 Scott Speed (USA)[/QUOTE]
Who would you like to see go where for 2007.
[QUOTE]2007.....
Renault
1
2
McLaren Mercedes
3 Fernando Alonso (E)
4
Ferrari
5
6
Toyota
7 Ralf Schumacher (D)
8
Williams Cosworth
9
10 Nico Rosberg (D)
Honda
11 Rubens Barrichello (BR)
12 Jenson Button (GB)
Red Bull Ferrari
14
15
BMW Sauber
16 Nick Heidfeld (D)
17
MF1 Racing Toyota
18
19
Scuderia Toro Rosso Cosworth
20
21
[/QUOTE]
We'll leave out the "maybe" teams for now.
Here's the 2006 lineup to help out.
[QUOTE]
Renault (M)
1 Fernando Alonso (E)
2 Giancarlo Fisichella (I)
McLaren Mercedes (M)
3 Kimi Raikkonen (FIN)
4 Juan Pablo Montoya (CO)
Ferrari (B)
5 Michael Schumacher (D)
6 Felipe Massa (BR)
Toyota (B)
7 Ralf Schumacher (D)
8 Jarno Trulli (I)
Williams Cosworth + (B)
9 Mark Webber (AUS)
10 Nico Rosberg (D)
Honda + (M)
11 Rubens Barrichello (BR)
12 Jenson Button (GB)
Red Bull Ferrari + (M)
14 David Coulthard (GB)
15 Christian Klien (AT)
BMW Sauber + (M)
16 Nick Heidfeld (D)
17 Jacques Villeneuve (CN)
MF1 Racing Toyota + (B)
18 Tiago Monteiro (P)
19 Christijan Albers (NL)
Scuderia Toro Rosso Cosworth + (M)
20 Vitantonio Liuzzi (I)
21 Scott Speed (USA)[/QUOTE]
| artkevin | 12-19-2005 12:54 PM |
Schumacher to Red Bull in 07? God my head hurts and the 06 season hasn't even started!
| Harvey_Mushman | 12-19-2005 02:14 PM |
One of the Schumacher/ Red Bull rumors:
[QUOTE]Planet-F1.com
RBR don't deny they're interested in Schu
12/12/05
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner hasn't exactly denied reports that he's targeted Michael Schumacher as the next F1 superstar he's keen to sign.
Early last month, Red Bull pulled off a major coup by securing the services of top Formula One designer Adrian Newey from McLaren. This led to some speculation that the Schumacher could be next on Red Bull's wish list.
And Horner didn't exactly denied it.
"It would all depend on (Schumacher's) motivation and if the timing was right," he said, adding that it's a "difficult question to answer."
However, RBR's team boss did state that, for now at least, the team was focusing its efforts on the drivers they've already signed for the 2006 Championship, David Coulthard and Christian Klien.
"Our focus is on our current drivers for the time being," he said.
"We're happy with them and will evaluate things as they evolve."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Planet-F1.com
RBR don't deny they're interested in Schu
12/12/05
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner hasn't exactly denied reports that he's targeted Michael Schumacher as the next F1 superstar he's keen to sign.
Early last month, Red Bull pulled off a major coup by securing the services of top Formula One designer Adrian Newey from McLaren. This led to some speculation that the Schumacher could be next on Red Bull's wish list.
And Horner didn't exactly denied it.
"It would all depend on (Schumacher's) motivation and if the timing was right," he said, adding that it's a "difficult question to answer."
However, RBR's team boss did state that, for now at least, the team was focusing its efforts on the drivers they've already signed for the 2006 Championship, David Coulthard and Christian Klien.
"Our focus is on our current drivers for the time being," he said.
"We're happy with them and will evaluate things as they evolve."[/QUOTE]
| StuBeck | 12-19-2005 02:33 PM |
I don't think that rumor can really be believed. If someone asks you if you want Schumacher, you're going to say yes.
I believe Rikkonen has already signed with Ferrari for 07, hence the signing of Alonso. I think it will be really interesting the next two years at McLaren. JPM was fast at the end of the year and should be a real threat to Raikkonen, and Alonso having to get used to the team in 07 will prove interesting.
Alonso probbaly signed with McLaren because of the lack of interest of the head of Renault, they've stated in the past they don't really see the point so they could essentially leave at almost any point, especially considering they already won the top prize this year.
I believe Rikkonen has already signed with Ferrari for 07, hence the signing of Alonso. I think it will be really interesting the next two years at McLaren. JPM was fast at the end of the year and should be a real threat to Raikkonen, and Alonso having to get used to the team in 07 will prove interesting.
Alonso probbaly signed with McLaren because of the lack of interest of the head of Renault, they've stated in the past they don't really see the point so they could essentially leave at almost any point, especially considering they already won the top prize this year.
| Harvey_Mushman | 12-19-2005 02:49 PM |
[QUOTE=StuBeck]If someone asks you if you want Schumacher, you're going to say yes. [/QUOTE]
You're right, of course. But, there is no question that Red Bull is a motivated team. Adrian Newey lends them a certain amount of credence and I'm curious to see who else ends up there. Who knows how things will shake out, but it sure is fun to speculate.
You're right, of course. But, there is no question that Red Bull is a motivated team. Adrian Newey lends them a certain amount of credence and I'm curious to see who else ends up there. Who knows how things will shake out, but it sure is fun to speculate.
| StuBeck | 12-19-2005 02:56 PM |
Yea, RBR is my favorite team so them getting a driver who is fast (albeit a jackass) would be good. I think Schmui would have to take a pay cut to stay at Ferrari past 06 (losing vodafone is huge) and the restructuring which will occur will hurt Ferrari as well. I don't know if he'll be able to keep his motivation though, I know he wants to stay driving, but looking at him give up at Suzuka during the rain showed a lack of dedication. Yes, his qual run was done, but he just completely gave up.
| artkevin | 12-19-2005 03:07 PM |
I tried to find it but I think its already been moved to the archives on F1-live.com but Willi Weber has admitted talks with RBR so it looks like it is more then just a rumor. I don't think it will happen. Schumi, IMO, would either stay at Ferrari, retire or change series a la Mika. RBR is not messing around. They want to win and it looks like they'll do just about anythign to be successful.
| StuBeck | 12-19-2005 04:14 PM |
Willi Weber can not be trusted. He will say anything to get Schumi more money. He has previously stated they have been in talks with McLaren, which was false.
| Ferg | 12-19-2005 05:12 PM |
In other non Alonso news...
[QUOTE]Chief designer Brunner leaves Toyota
December 19th 2005, 10:10 GMT
Chief designer Gustav Brunner has left Toyota after the Germany-based Formula One team decided his job was surplus to requirements.
"Toyota Motorsport GmbH can confirm that Gustav Brunner has left the team," a spokesman said on Monday.
He said Toyota had revamped its chassis department into three sections.
"With three groups running in parallel, one focusing on the current car, one concentrating on the next stage of development and the third looking at advanced design, the position of chief designer has become obsolete."
Toyota paid millions of dollars in signing the 55-year-old Austrian from struggling Minardi, where he had been technical director, in 2001.
The team, who entered Formula One in 2002, had their best season this year when they finished fourth overall. Technical director Mike Gascoyne, who joined in 2003, took much of the credit for the car.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Cosworth founder Keith Duckworth has died
By Jonathan Noble December 19th 2005, 17:25 GMT
Keith Duckworth, one of the joint founders of Cosworth, died last night at the age of 72.
The Yorkshireman originally created the famous engine company with Mike Costin in 1958, where they developed parts for Ford road car engines before switching their attentions to racing.
Talking about creating the company, Duckworth famously said: "We thought it must be possible to make an interesting living messing about with racing cars and engines. That was the total objective behind the formation of Cosworth."
Their original 3-litre V8 engine, the DFV, won at the hands of Jim Clark in a Lotus at the 1967 Dutch Grand Prix. It was the start of an unprecedented run of success for the DFV and its derivatives, which won a total of 154 Grands Prix.
The triumphs of the DFV, as well as success in IndyCar racing, helped establish Cosworth as one of the most famous engine builders in the world before Costin and Duckworth sold their company in 1980. After various owners it was a subsidiary of the Ford Motor Company until only last year when it was purchased by Champ Car boss Kevin Kalkhoven and Gerald Forsythe.
Cosworth's commercial director Bernard Ferguson said: "We are shocked and saddened to learn of Keith's untimely death. Everyone here at Cosworth sends their deepest condolences to his wife Jill and their children.
"He was a true innovator and a legend in his lifetime. Keith's name will live on as an integral part of both the Cosworth name and its culture."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Trulli berates constant F1 rule changes
By Michele Lostia December 18th 2005, 14:18 GMT
Jarno Trulli has condemned the continued tinkering with rules in Formula One, claiming he is surprised that fans still follow the sport.
Amid the backdrop of a major overhaul to qualifying and disputes about the future shape of technical regulations, Trulli said he is far from happy about the state of the sport.
"I'm disgusted by F1 on these matters," he said in an interview with Italian magazine Autosprint. "It's adopting solutions which don't comply with overall logic, often contradict each other, and are only the result of compromises between strong individuals.
"As a representative of the GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers' Association) I've done my part, but with little result."
Trulli also said that he is unhappy with the knock-out format of qualifying that has been adopted for next year - after the GPDA pushed for the single-lap system to be retained.
"In my opinion there was the chance of adopting a different format for qualifying - a format that would respect the needs of the spectacle and the need of having a rewarding qualifying from a technical and sporting point of view. But it wasn't to be," he added.
"The fact is that everyone remembers we were listened to by [FIA president Max] Mosley, but then things took their own turn.
"On top of that, in my opinion, there isn't enough respect for spectators. If I had to follow the championship on television, I would definitely not have the same enthusiasm I have [as I do] while racing in it."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Chief designer Brunner leaves Toyota
December 19th 2005, 10:10 GMT
Chief designer Gustav Brunner has left Toyota after the Germany-based Formula One team decided his job was surplus to requirements.
"Toyota Motorsport GmbH can confirm that Gustav Brunner has left the team," a spokesman said on Monday.
He said Toyota had revamped its chassis department into three sections.
"With three groups running in parallel, one focusing on the current car, one concentrating on the next stage of development and the third looking at advanced design, the position of chief designer has become obsolete."
Toyota paid millions of dollars in signing the 55-year-old Austrian from struggling Minardi, where he had been technical director, in 2001.
The team, who entered Formula One in 2002, had their best season this year when they finished fourth overall. Technical director Mike Gascoyne, who joined in 2003, took much of the credit for the car.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Cosworth founder Keith Duckworth has died
By Jonathan Noble December 19th 2005, 17:25 GMT
Keith Duckworth, one of the joint founders of Cosworth, died last night at the age of 72.
The Yorkshireman originally created the famous engine company with Mike Costin in 1958, where they developed parts for Ford road car engines before switching their attentions to racing.
Talking about creating the company, Duckworth famously said: "We thought it must be possible to make an interesting living messing about with racing cars and engines. That was the total objective behind the formation of Cosworth."
Their original 3-litre V8 engine, the DFV, won at the hands of Jim Clark in a Lotus at the 1967 Dutch Grand Prix. It was the start of an unprecedented run of success for the DFV and its derivatives, which won a total of 154 Grands Prix.
The triumphs of the DFV, as well as success in IndyCar racing, helped establish Cosworth as one of the most famous engine builders in the world before Costin and Duckworth sold their company in 1980. After various owners it was a subsidiary of the Ford Motor Company until only last year when it was purchased by Champ Car boss Kevin Kalkhoven and Gerald Forsythe.
Cosworth's commercial director Bernard Ferguson said: "We are shocked and saddened to learn of Keith's untimely death. Everyone here at Cosworth sends their deepest condolences to his wife Jill and their children.
"He was a true innovator and a legend in his lifetime. Keith's name will live on as an integral part of both the Cosworth name and its culture."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Trulli berates constant F1 rule changes
By Michele Lostia December 18th 2005, 14:18 GMT
Jarno Trulli has condemned the continued tinkering with rules in Formula One, claiming he is surprised that fans still follow the sport.
Amid the backdrop of a major overhaul to qualifying and disputes about the future shape of technical regulations, Trulli said he is far from happy about the state of the sport.
"I'm disgusted by F1 on these matters," he said in an interview with Italian magazine Autosprint. "It's adopting solutions which don't comply with overall logic, often contradict each other, and are only the result of compromises between strong individuals.
"As a representative of the GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers' Association) I've done my part, but with little result."
Trulli also said that he is unhappy with the knock-out format of qualifying that has been adopted for next year - after the GPDA pushed for the single-lap system to be retained.
"In my opinion there was the chance of adopting a different format for qualifying - a format that would respect the needs of the spectacle and the need of having a rewarding qualifying from a technical and sporting point of view. But it wasn't to be," he added.
"The fact is that everyone remembers we were listened to by [FIA president Max] Mosley, but then things took their own turn.
"On top of that, in my opinion, there isn't enough respect for spectators. If I had to follow the championship on television, I would definitely not have the same enthusiasm I have [as I do] while racing in it."[/QUOTE]
| Harvey_Mushman | 12-19-2005 05:26 PM |
[QUOTE]Jarno: "...in my opinion, there isn't enough respect for spectators. If I had to follow the championship on television, I would definitely not have the same enthusiasm I have [as I do] while racing in it." [/QUOTE]
Thank you Jarno.
The qualifying changes have been the hardest to follow. I hate the rules that make qualifying an extension of the race, but I also am not looking forward to the elimination-session format and its crazy fuel load bonuses. Can we just have one shot qualifying (sans park ferme) and then the race please?
Thank you Jarno.
The qualifying changes have been the hardest to follow. I hate the rules that make qualifying an extension of the race, but I also am not looking forward to the elimination-session format and its crazy fuel load bonuses. Can we just have one shot qualifying (sans park ferme) and then the race please?
| artkevin | 12-19-2005 05:41 PM |
[QUOTE=Harvey_Mushman]Thank you Jarno.
The qualifying changes have been the hardest to follow. I hate the rules that make qualifying an extension of the race, but I also am not looking forward to the elimination-session format and its crazy fuel load bonuses. Can we just have one shot qualifying (sans park ferme) and then the race please?[/QUOTE]
I agree and I blame Ferrari. Not really blame but I think they were the catalyst for the changes. I am not a Ferrari hater in the slightest but the 12 lap free for all worked fine for years. Yes, you always had guys complaining about traffic in the last 10 mintues and there was only a handful of cars for the first 30 but its better then what we got now. I think Ferrari's domination "made" the FIA have to reach to spice up the show. That choice was too short sighted IMO. There will always be spurts of domination in any sport but they will always come to an end. Now we are stuck with this crap that changes every single year becuase they can never get it right.
I for one also like the dead time at the begining of quali. One reason is that you got to hear all of the stories and tales from the weekend as the crew had to strecth for time. Second, they got most of the commercial breaks out of the way early. And finally, the tension. You could feel the session get more and more agressive as it went. I remember sitting in Montreal and with about 35 mintes to go it seemed that there was some silent signal that went to start all the engines and go give it a shot. I also loved that someone (usually Shui) would go out relatively early and put down an amazing time as a challenge to the rest of the field. :devil:
The qualifying changes have been the hardest to follow. I hate the rules that make qualifying an extension of the race, but I also am not looking forward to the elimination-session format and its crazy fuel load bonuses. Can we just have one shot qualifying (sans park ferme) and then the race please?[/QUOTE]
I agree and I blame Ferrari. Not really blame but I think they were the catalyst for the changes. I am not a Ferrari hater in the slightest but the 12 lap free for all worked fine for years. Yes, you always had guys complaining about traffic in the last 10 mintues and there was only a handful of cars for the first 30 but its better then what we got now. I think Ferrari's domination "made" the FIA have to reach to spice up the show. That choice was too short sighted IMO. There will always be spurts of domination in any sport but they will always come to an end. Now we are stuck with this crap that changes every single year becuase they can never get it right.
I for one also like the dead time at the begining of quali. One reason is that you got to hear all of the stories and tales from the weekend as the crew had to strecth for time. Second, they got most of the commercial breaks out of the way early. And finally, the tension. You could feel the session get more and more agressive as it went. I remember sitting in Montreal and with about 35 mintes to go it seemed that there was some silent signal that went to start all the engines and go give it a shot. I also loved that someone (usually Shui) would go out relatively early and put down an amazing time as a challenge to the rest of the field. :devil:
| Ferg | 12-20-2005 10:54 AM |
News and some more news.
[QUOTE]Aguri close to getting 2006 entry
By Jonathan Noble December 20th 2005, 11:06 GMT
The Super Aguri team are on the verge of a deal that will allow them to resubmit their entry to next year's Formula One world championship, autosport.com has learned.
Although the Japanese squad have worked hard in recent weeks trying to get the required unanimous backing from their rivals to support the late application, the talks appeared to have stalled last week.
That was because the Midland Racing team were withholding their approval because they were concerned about the implications of losing television money and travel subsidies in the event that they were beaten in the Constructors' Championship by Aguri.
The Silverstone-based team's lack of support would have wrecked Super Aguri's plans and meant that the team would have had to delay their entry to F1 until 2007.
However, sources have told autosport.com that Midland are now close to giving their support for Super Aguri's late entry. It is not clear how a settlement has been reached, but it will likely involve some kind of financial guarantees from either Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone or Aguri themselves.
"A positive solution is near," said the source, who is close to the Super Aguri negotiations.
It is believed that a deal could be concluded as early as this week, meaning that Super Aguri can then relodge their application, along with letters of support from their rival teams, to the FIA before the Christmas break.
The team, who are based at the former Arrows factory at Leafield, have continued working on their 2006 car despite the uncertainty about their entry.
It is understood they will start the season with an updated version of the 2002 Arrows A23, before launching their own definitive challengers for the start of the European season.
Once their entry has been accepted and confirmed by the FIA, it is believed that the team will confirm almost immediately that Takuma Sato will drive for them. Autosport.com understands that he visited the factory recently to view the team's latest developments.
The identity of the second driver is not yet certain, but it is looking increasingly likely that it will be a Japanese driver. Sakon Yamamoto and Kosuke Matsuura have both been linked with the seat.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Briatore kept out of Alonso-McLaren deal
By Jonathan Noble December 20th 2005, 12:27 GMT
Renault boss Flavio Briatore has revealed that he was not involved in Fernando Alonso's shock decision to join McLaren in 2007.
Although Briatore is Alonso's manager, it is believed that his deal with the Spaniard is coming to an end soon and there are suggestions that this prompted Alonso to go and do a deal with McLaren by himself.
And just 24 hours after Alonso's move was announced, Briatore confirmed that he did not play any part in the talks with McLaren, which have resulted in the Renault team losing their World Champion at the end of next year.
"I was at no time directly or indirectly involved in the conduct of these negotiations," Briatore said in a statement. "Fernando made a personal decision that his future lies outside the Renault team when his current contract expires at the end of 2006.
"He contacted and negotiated with McLaren at his own instigation."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Toro Rosso hope to get help from Newey
By Jonathan Noble December 20th 2005, 11:27 GMT
Scuderia Toro Rosso are hoping to benefit from the help of Adrian Newey next season in their bid to move up the grid.
The former Minardi outfit, who were bought out by Red Bull last season, are currently working away on their Cosworth-powered STR01 car after being told they would not be able to run last year's Red Bull Racing chassis.
And although Formula One rules are quite strict in terms of preventing teams from working together too much, Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost has made it clear that he hopes to get some assistance from Newey when he joins Red Bull Racing next February.
"Under the current regulations the teams cannot work together as close as it could be," he said in an interview with the official Formula One website.
"Red Bull Racing will run the new RBR02 and the V8 Ferrari engine, while Toro Rosso will have the new STR 01 with the V10 Cosworth engine incorporating different torque curves from the engine side and with a different weight distribution, which will make it difficult to compare cars or data.
"Because of these differences the teams will operate independently and in their own separate way during the race weekends. We are all looking forward to seeing Adrian Newey starting at Red Bull. It would be a great pity not to ask him for advice with all his experience."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Aguri close to getting 2006 entry
By Jonathan Noble December 20th 2005, 11:06 GMT
The Super Aguri team are on the verge of a deal that will allow them to resubmit their entry to next year's Formula One world championship, autosport.com has learned.
Although the Japanese squad have worked hard in recent weeks trying to get the required unanimous backing from their rivals to support the late application, the talks appeared to have stalled last week.
That was because the Midland Racing team were withholding their approval because they were concerned about the implications of losing television money and travel subsidies in the event that they were beaten in the Constructors' Championship by Aguri.
The Silverstone-based team's lack of support would have wrecked Super Aguri's plans and meant that the team would have had to delay their entry to F1 until 2007.
However, sources have told autosport.com that Midland are now close to giving their support for Super Aguri's late entry. It is not clear how a settlement has been reached, but it will likely involve some kind of financial guarantees from either Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone or Aguri themselves.
"A positive solution is near," said the source, who is close to the Super Aguri negotiations.
It is believed that a deal could be concluded as early as this week, meaning that Super Aguri can then relodge their application, along with letters of support from their rival teams, to the FIA before the Christmas break.
The team, who are based at the former Arrows factory at Leafield, have continued working on their 2006 car despite the uncertainty about their entry.
It is understood they will start the season with an updated version of the 2002 Arrows A23, before launching their own definitive challengers for the start of the European season.
Once their entry has been accepted and confirmed by the FIA, it is believed that the team will confirm almost immediately that Takuma Sato will drive for them. Autosport.com understands that he visited the factory recently to view the team's latest developments.
The identity of the second driver is not yet certain, but it is looking increasingly likely that it will be a Japanese driver. Sakon Yamamoto and Kosuke Matsuura have both been linked with the seat.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Briatore kept out of Alonso-McLaren deal
By Jonathan Noble December 20th 2005, 12:27 GMT
Renault boss Flavio Briatore has revealed that he was not involved in Fernando Alonso's shock decision to join McLaren in 2007.
Although Briatore is Alonso's manager, it is believed that his deal with the Spaniard is coming to an end soon and there are suggestions that this prompted Alonso to go and do a deal with McLaren by himself.
And just 24 hours after Alonso's move was announced, Briatore confirmed that he did not play any part in the talks with McLaren, which have resulted in the Renault team losing their World Champion at the end of next year.
"I was at no time directly or indirectly involved in the conduct of these negotiations," Briatore said in a statement. "Fernando made a personal decision that his future lies outside the Renault team when his current contract expires at the end of 2006.
"He contacted and negotiated with McLaren at his own instigation."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Toro Rosso hope to get help from Newey
By Jonathan Noble December 20th 2005, 11:27 GMT
Scuderia Toro Rosso are hoping to benefit from the help of Adrian Newey next season in their bid to move up the grid.
The former Minardi outfit, who were bought out by Red Bull last season, are currently working away on their Cosworth-powered STR01 car after being told they would not be able to run last year's Red Bull Racing chassis.
And although Formula One rules are quite strict in terms of preventing teams from working together too much, Toro Rosso boss Franz Tost has made it clear that he hopes to get some assistance from Newey when he joins Red Bull Racing next February.
"Under the current regulations the teams cannot work together as close as it could be," he said in an interview with the official Formula One website.
"Red Bull Racing will run the new RBR02 and the V8 Ferrari engine, while Toro Rosso will have the new STR 01 with the V10 Cosworth engine incorporating different torque curves from the engine side and with a different weight distribution, which will make it difficult to compare cars or data.
"Because of these differences the teams will operate independently and in their own separate way during the race weekends. We are all looking forward to seeing Adrian Newey starting at Red Bull. It would be a great pity not to ask him for advice with all his experience."[/QUOTE]
| Ferg | 12-20-2005 12:19 PM |
and some more...
[QUOTE]Honda will 'sponsor' Super Aguri
By Jonathan Noble December 20th 2005, 16:27 GMT
Honda has revealed that it will give financial support to the new Super Aguri Formula One team next season, alongside the commitments it is already making to its own outfit.
Although the Japanese car manufacturer has made no secret of the fact that it has been willing to help the new Aguri team as much as it can, it has not been clear exactly what that assistance would be.
However, Honda's Motor President Takeo Fukui has now revealed that as well as supplying customer V8 engines to the new team, it will also be sponsoring the outfit in 2006.
Speaking at his annual press meeting with the Japanese press in Tokyo today, Fukui said: "The company (Honda) will sponsor the Aguri team."
When asked whether Honda would be title sponsors of the team, Fukui declined to answer and would not elaborate further on the specifics of the deal.
It is the first time that Fukui has used the word 'sponsor' and it is significant because it means Super Aguri are likely to be more than just a customer outfit.
Fukui has previously said that the customer engines would not be free for Aguri, and it is possible that his latest comments mean that there will be some kind of subsidy deal for the team for it to become a semi-works effort.
Aguri are hoping that their entry to next year's World Championship will be confirmed later this week, with the team on the verge of getting final agreement from all their rivals to support their late application.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Kubica signs as third driver at BMW Sauber
December 20th 2005, 10:24 GMT
World Series by Renault champion Robert Kubica has landed the third driver role at the new BMW Sauber team.
The Pole, who had his first F1 test with Renault earlier this month as a prize for his title success, will test regularly for the team and drive their third car in Friday practice at Grands Prix.
"It's a fantastic opportunity for me," said Kubica. "I'm going to prove that I have earned it. For a young driver like me the three-car rule is a godsend.
"In the past, test and replacement drivers were only sent out on test tracks, but I will get to know all 19 Grand Prix circuits and the ins and outs of a GP weekend. I would like to thank everybody who has helped me along the way over the last few years. Without these people I would not now be looking to a Formula One involvement."
BMW Motorsport director Mario Theissen added: "We have been following Robert's progress and are very impressed by his performance in recent years. He has worked hard to achieve his success without major support.
"We are convinced that he has the potential and the will to make the leap into Formula One and are delighted to be able to give him the opportunity to do so. As the number three driver he will gain experience while at the same time helping the team develop the car."
Kubica's deal comes after a host of established drivers were linked with the third driver role at BMW-Sauber, including Indy Racing League champion Dan Wheldon and McLaren tester Alexander Wurz.
It also means that the Pole, who finished runner-up in this year's Macau Grand Prix, will not do GP2 next year despite a recent test in the category.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Honda will 'sponsor' Super Aguri
By Jonathan Noble December 20th 2005, 16:27 GMT
Honda has revealed that it will give financial support to the new Super Aguri Formula One team next season, alongside the commitments it is already making to its own outfit.
Although the Japanese car manufacturer has made no secret of the fact that it has been willing to help the new Aguri team as much as it can, it has not been clear exactly what that assistance would be.
However, Honda's Motor President Takeo Fukui has now revealed that as well as supplying customer V8 engines to the new team, it will also be sponsoring the outfit in 2006.
Speaking at his annual press meeting with the Japanese press in Tokyo today, Fukui said: "The company (Honda) will sponsor the Aguri team."
When asked whether Honda would be title sponsors of the team, Fukui declined to answer and would not elaborate further on the specifics of the deal.
It is the first time that Fukui has used the word 'sponsor' and it is significant because it means Super Aguri are likely to be more than just a customer outfit.
Fukui has previously said that the customer engines would not be free for Aguri, and it is possible that his latest comments mean that there will be some kind of subsidy deal for the team for it to become a semi-works effort.
Aguri are hoping that their entry to next year's World Championship will be confirmed later this week, with the team on the verge of getting final agreement from all their rivals to support their late application.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Kubica signs as third driver at BMW Sauber
December 20th 2005, 10:24 GMT
World Series by Renault champion Robert Kubica has landed the third driver role at the new BMW Sauber team.
The Pole, who had his first F1 test with Renault earlier this month as a prize for his title success, will test regularly for the team and drive their third car in Friday practice at Grands Prix.
"It's a fantastic opportunity for me," said Kubica. "I'm going to prove that I have earned it. For a young driver like me the three-car rule is a godsend.
"In the past, test and replacement drivers were only sent out on test tracks, but I will get to know all 19 Grand Prix circuits and the ins and outs of a GP weekend. I would like to thank everybody who has helped me along the way over the last few years. Without these people I would not now be looking to a Formula One involvement."
BMW Motorsport director Mario Theissen added: "We have been following Robert's progress and are very impressed by his performance in recent years. He has worked hard to achieve his success without major support.
"We are convinced that he has the potential and the will to make the leap into Formula One and are delighted to be able to give him the opportunity to do so. As the number three driver he will gain experience while at the same time helping the team develop the car."
Kubica's deal comes after a host of established drivers were linked with the third driver role at BMW-Sauber, including Indy Racing League champion Dan Wheldon and McLaren tester Alexander Wurz.
It also means that the Pole, who finished runner-up in this year's Macau Grand Prix, will not do GP2 next year despite a recent test in the category.[/QUOTE]
| StuBeck | 12-20-2005 05:21 PM |
I hope Super Aguri gets on the grid, having more teams will be good.
| Ferg | 12-21-2005 10:26 AM |
Super Aguri edgeing closer to the 2006 grid...
[QUOTE]Aguri secure support of all teams
By Jonathan Noble December 21st 2005, 14:55 GMT
The Super Aguri team have secured the required unanimous approval of their rival teams to re-lodge their application for next year's Formula One World Championship, as was predicted by autosport.com yesterday.
Having got the approval, the Japanese team will now re-apply to the FIA to be allowed to compete next season as work continues at their Leafield base on their 2006 challenger.
Team boss Aguri Suzuki said: "I am very happy to be able to announce that all 10 F1 teams have approved our late entry to the Formula One World Championship today.
"I would like to thank all of the teams for approving our late entry and assure them that the Super Aguri F1 team will cooperate and do our best to reach your expectations. We appreciate your support and we will not let you down."
The Aguri team have faced an anxious few weeks trying to secure the approval of the other teams, with the main hurdle being in convincing the Midland Racing outfit that they had nothing to fear by supporting the new team's entry.
There had been concerns that if Aguri beat Midland in the constructors' championship next year, then it could cost the team many millions of pounds in television rights income and travel subsidies.
Providing Aguri's application is now accepted by the FIA, they are expected to use updated versions of the Arrows A23 chassis for the first few races of the season before they unveil their definitive 2006 challenger at the San Marino Grand Prix.
Daniele Audetto, Managing Director of Super Aguri said: "I am very proud to be part of the new Super Aguri F1 team. We are looking forward to joining the F1 grid for 2006 in Bahrain and to becoming increasingly competitive as the season progresses.
"Of course we do not expect to be on the pace straight away; we will use the first GPs to train the team before our definitive car reaches the
track."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Raikkonen yet to decide on future
By Jonathan Noble December 21st 2005, 11:33 GMT
Kimi Raikkonen has insisted that he has made no decision about his Formula One future, despite growing speculation that he will switch to Ferrari in 2007.
The Finn has been linked with a move to Maranello since the summer, with sources claiming that he has already signed an option with the team, and the rumours have increased further this week following McLaren's capture of Fernando Alonso.
But despite the news of Alonso's future switch, which leaves either Raikkonen or Juan Pablo Montoya without a drive after next season, this year's world championship runner-up has said that his future plans have not changed. "I learned about it from the team a couple of days ago," said Raikkonen about McLaren's decision to sign Alonso.
"My own situation is still the same - nothing has been agreed regarding the future. I'm focusing on the new season and will make decisions next year."
Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone said on Wednesday that he expected Raikkonen to eventually end up at Ferrari - although that would depend on whether or not Michael Schumacher decided to hang up his helmet after next season.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]F1 better without managers, says Ecclestone
By Michele Lostia December 21st 2005, 10:59 GMT
Formula One driver contracts should be done without the involvement of managers, claims the sport's commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone.
On the back of Fernando Alonso opting to do his deal with McLaren face-to-face with the team rather than via his manager Flavio Briatore, Ecclestone is adamant that it would be a better way for the sport as a whole to operate.
"I'd prefer a Formula One where the drivers do their deals directly, as it used to happen with Lauda, Senna, Prost and Berger," he said in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Nowadays they can't live without their managers behind their shoulders. They are useless obsessions. If I had a team, I would never accept to deal with a manager.
"I am used to looking in the face of who I am hiring; observing him in the talks, discovering him. Who was good at doing deals usually was fast too.
"But F1 has changed and nowadays it happens that whoever has a team also looks after the interests of one of his drivers. There isn't just Briatore..."
Ecclestone has also said he believes that Alonso did the deal without any involvement from Briatore, despite the Renault boss being his manager.
"I could never ever believe [Briatore] would give one of his drivers, any driver, to Dennis," added Ecclestone. "In this case, a rare one, he found himself out of the games, unable to intervene, because Alonso didn't want to stay at Renault anymore.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Ecclestone criticises Dennis on Alonso deal
By Michele Lostia December 21st 2005, 10:34 GMT
Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has hit out at McLaren's handling of the Fernando Alonso affair.
The sport's commercial rights boss believes that the Woking team went out of their way to embarrass Renault boss Flavio Briatore by unilaterally announcing they had captured the world champion for 2007. And he thinks it would have been better for the sport if the teams had acted together in announcing the deal.
"I'm reminded of when I was the owner of Brabham and, in the summer of 1977, I contacted Lauda at the Italian Grand Prix and offered him a drive for the following season," he told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"He accepted immediately, but I told him: 'Look Niki, I don't want to have any issues with Enzo Ferrari. You explain to him how things have gone, and then we'll announce it.' He did that.
"In this case it was Alonso dealing with Dennis, bypassing Briatore. I know how things have gone, but I can't reveal the details. Flavio has been left, how can you say it, deceived. On top of that, with Dennis being Briatore's worst enemy, he spited him by exposing things publicly in order to make it difficult for him.
"It wasn't nice, even though stealing drivers among teams is normal. Dennis and Briatore could have written a joint press release and they would have both looked much better. Dennis's move hasn't been intelligent."
Ecclestone has said, however, that he is not surprised that Alonso has decided to switch from Renault to McLaren.
"I suppose his name was on the list of all the top teams," he added. "Besides McLaren, knowing that Raikkonen will go to Ferrari, did the right thing in hiring the best there was on the market - which is Alonso.
"Yes, I think Raikkonen will go to Ferrari. It's in the interests of both parties. But it's not certain it'll end up this way, because if Schumacher will carry on beyond 2006, always with Ferrari, Raikkonen will have to find another place. At that point he might end up at Renault!
"[Schumacher] is always a winner and he will be the favourite in the next championship. I don't see him tired enough to think about retiring. He races because he enjoys it and has gone beyond the money barrier. With Ferrari and their men he's built a strong, loving relationship. He will never race with another team."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Aguri secure support of all teams
By Jonathan Noble December 21st 2005, 14:55 GMT
The Super Aguri team have secured the required unanimous approval of their rival teams to re-lodge their application for next year's Formula One World Championship, as was predicted by autosport.com yesterday.
Having got the approval, the Japanese team will now re-apply to the FIA to be allowed to compete next season as work continues at their Leafield base on their 2006 challenger.
Team boss Aguri Suzuki said: "I am very happy to be able to announce that all 10 F1 teams have approved our late entry to the Formula One World Championship today.
"I would like to thank all of the teams for approving our late entry and assure them that the Super Aguri F1 team will cooperate and do our best to reach your expectations. We appreciate your support and we will not let you down."
The Aguri team have faced an anxious few weeks trying to secure the approval of the other teams, with the main hurdle being in convincing the Midland Racing outfit that they had nothing to fear by supporting the new team's entry.
There had been concerns that if Aguri beat Midland in the constructors' championship next year, then it could cost the team many millions of pounds in television rights income and travel subsidies.
Providing Aguri's application is now accepted by the FIA, they are expected to use updated versions of the Arrows A23 chassis for the first few races of the season before they unveil their definitive 2006 challenger at the San Marino Grand Prix.
Daniele Audetto, Managing Director of Super Aguri said: "I am very proud to be part of the new Super Aguri F1 team. We are looking forward to joining the F1 grid for 2006 in Bahrain and to becoming increasingly competitive as the season progresses.
"Of course we do not expect to be on the pace straight away; we will use the first GPs to train the team before our definitive car reaches the
track."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Raikkonen yet to decide on future
By Jonathan Noble December 21st 2005, 11:33 GMT
Kimi Raikkonen has insisted that he has made no decision about his Formula One future, despite growing speculation that he will switch to Ferrari in 2007.
The Finn has been linked with a move to Maranello since the summer, with sources claiming that he has already signed an option with the team, and the rumours have increased further this week following McLaren's capture of Fernando Alonso.
But despite the news of Alonso's future switch, which leaves either Raikkonen or Juan Pablo Montoya without a drive after next season, this year's world championship runner-up has said that his future plans have not changed. "I learned about it from the team a couple of days ago," said Raikkonen about McLaren's decision to sign Alonso.
"My own situation is still the same - nothing has been agreed regarding the future. I'm focusing on the new season and will make decisions next year."
Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone said on Wednesday that he expected Raikkonen to eventually end up at Ferrari - although that would depend on whether or not Michael Schumacher decided to hang up his helmet after next season.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]F1 better without managers, says Ecclestone
By Michele Lostia December 21st 2005, 10:59 GMT
Formula One driver contracts should be done without the involvement of managers, claims the sport's commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone.
On the back of Fernando Alonso opting to do his deal with McLaren face-to-face with the team rather than via his manager Flavio Briatore, Ecclestone is adamant that it would be a better way for the sport as a whole to operate.
"I'd prefer a Formula One where the drivers do their deals directly, as it used to happen with Lauda, Senna, Prost and Berger," he said in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Nowadays they can't live without their managers behind their shoulders. They are useless obsessions. If I had a team, I would never accept to deal with a manager.
"I am used to looking in the face of who I am hiring; observing him in the talks, discovering him. Who was good at doing deals usually was fast too.
"But F1 has changed and nowadays it happens that whoever has a team also looks after the interests of one of his drivers. There isn't just Briatore..."
Ecclestone has also said he believes that Alonso did the deal without any involvement from Briatore, despite the Renault boss being his manager.
"I could never ever believe [Briatore] would give one of his drivers, any driver, to Dennis," added Ecclestone. "In this case, a rare one, he found himself out of the games, unable to intervene, because Alonso didn't want to stay at Renault anymore.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Ecclestone criticises Dennis on Alonso deal
By Michele Lostia December 21st 2005, 10:34 GMT
Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has hit out at McLaren's handling of the Fernando Alonso affair.
The sport's commercial rights boss believes that the Woking team went out of their way to embarrass Renault boss Flavio Briatore by unilaterally announcing they had captured the world champion for 2007. And he thinks it would have been better for the sport if the teams had acted together in announcing the deal.
"I'm reminded of when I was the owner of Brabham and, in the summer of 1977, I contacted Lauda at the Italian Grand Prix and offered him a drive for the following season," he told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"He accepted immediately, but I told him: 'Look Niki, I don't want to have any issues with Enzo Ferrari. You explain to him how things have gone, and then we'll announce it.' He did that.
"In this case it was Alonso dealing with Dennis, bypassing Briatore. I know how things have gone, but I can't reveal the details. Flavio has been left, how can you say it, deceived. On top of that, with Dennis being Briatore's worst enemy, he spited him by exposing things publicly in order to make it difficult for him.
"It wasn't nice, even though stealing drivers among teams is normal. Dennis and Briatore could have written a joint press release and they would have both looked much better. Dennis's move hasn't been intelligent."
Ecclestone has said, however, that he is not surprised that Alonso has decided to switch from Renault to McLaren.
"I suppose his name was on the list of all the top teams," he added. "Besides McLaren, knowing that Raikkonen will go to Ferrari, did the right thing in hiring the best there was on the market - which is Alonso.
"Yes, I think Raikkonen will go to Ferrari. It's in the interests of both parties. But it's not certain it'll end up this way, because if Schumacher will carry on beyond 2006, always with Ferrari, Raikkonen will have to find another place. At that point he might end up at Renault!
"[Schumacher] is always a winner and he will be the favourite in the next championship. I don't see him tired enough to think about retiring. He races because he enjoys it and has gone beyond the money barrier. With Ferrari and their men he's built a strong, loving relationship. He will never race with another team."[/QUOTE]
| Ferg | 12-21-2005 01:41 PM |
Another FIA proposal four the future of the sport...
[QUOTE]FIA unveils plan for 'low cost' F1
By Jonathan Noble December 21st 2005, 16:06 GMT
The FIA has unveiled its plans for a low-cost Formula One from 2008 amid concerns from president Max Mosley that the sport's current levels of expenditure are unsustainable.
After consulting with teams and taking on board the message from a fans' survey this year, the FIA has outlined rules that it hopes will allow an independent team to compete successfully for $100 million (US) a year.
Among the rule changes are the provision to ban new expensive technologies, the introduction of the Centreline Downwash Generating (CDG) Wing, rev-limited engines, the introduction of standard ECUs and wider slick tyres (see summary of planned rule changes below).
Mosley said: "The real argument in Formula One is not about sports governance or even about how much money FOM gives the teams. It's all about costs.
"The World Championship must remain financially viable for independent teams. Against this, two (possibly three) manufacturers want to win by spending unlimited amounts of money. This approach has caused great damage to motor sport, most recently to IRL in America. We don't want it in F1.
"One manufacturer is spending a sum greater than half its total annual dividend. This is unsustainable and sooner or later the shareholders will notice."
Beyond the changes to the technical regulations, the FIA is also hoping to make amendments to the Sporting Regulations to allow a single tyre supplier, three-race engines, four-race transmissions and weight penalties for the early replacements of engine and gearboxes.
The FIA also plans to introduce further cost-cutting measures for 2009. These include limiting teams to only making two changes of bodywork during a season and allowing energy storage and hybrid systems on the cars.
There are also moves to allow teams to sell customer cars and components to other outfits from 2008, once the current Concorde Agreement expires.
Summary of the main changes for the 2008 regulations:
� New technologies which give a team an advantage for one season but which are then adopted by all teams for subsequent seasons at significant expense will be banned after the end of the first season (Article 2.5).
Reason: To reduce costs. This allows a team which discovers a new technology to benefit from it, but prevents Formula One as a whole then spending money on the same technology only to leave all the teams in exactly the same (relative) positions as before.
� The rear wing is split in two.
Reason: Research indicates that this will produce a wake in which the car behind will perform much better, thus facilitating overtaking.
� Changes to the bodywork regulations to reduce downforce while maintaining drag levels so as to avoid an increase in cornering speeds over 2006 levels (Article 3).
Reason: Safety.
� Changes to the bodywork regulations at the front of the car to make the car behave better in traffic (Article 3).
Reason: To facilitate overtaking.
� Limitations on possible "interesting" areas of aerodynamic research (Article 3).
Reason: To reduce costs.
� The minimum weight is reduced from 605 to 550kg (Article 4).
Reason: To eliminate the cost of purchasing 55kg of very expensive high density ballast for each car and transporting it all over the world. Cars will also be safer without this extra weight.
� Engine to be subject to a rev limit of 19,000 rpm, with a possible increase to 20,000 rpm in consultation with the competing teams (Article 5.1.3).
Reason: To reduce costs and to redirect engine research towards road-relevant technologies.
� A standard electronic control unit for engine and gearbox to be used at all times in Formula One (Article 8.2).
Reason: To reduce costs, eliminate driver aids such as traction control and allow the FIA to check engine use and testing mileage.
� Gear ratios to have a minimum thickness of 12mm (Article 9.3.3).
Reason: To reduce costs by making gearboxes more robust.
� Tyre pressures may be adjusted by the driver while the car is moving (Article 12.5).
Reason: Safety, particularly during safety car periods.
� Maximum wheel diameter increased to 640mm front and 710mm rear, with maximum widths of 365mm front and 460mm rear (Article 12.4) with slick tyres.
Reason: To increase "mechanical" grip to compensate for reduced aerodynamic downforce to facilitate overtaking.
� Only permitted materials may be used to construct the car (Article 15.1).
Reason: To reduce costs.
� At least 5.75% (m/m) of fuel must be from biological sources (Article 19.4.5).
Reason: To keep ahead of developments in fuel for road cars.
2009
From 2009 each team may make only two changes of bodywork after the start of the season (Article 3.15).
Reason: To reduce costs.
It is intended to allow systems for energy storage and recovery (hybrid systems) from 2009, provided this can be done without causing budgetary difficulties for any of the competing teams.
In addition to the proposed 2008 Technical Regulations it is intended to make changes to the Formula One Sporting Regulations for 2008. These will be submitted to the World Motor Sport Council on March 22, 2006 and will include:
� arrangements for a single tyre supplier in 2008;
� three - Event engines;
� four - Event transmissions;
� weight penalties for early replacement of engine or gearbox;
� testing restrictions;
� a limit of two cars per team at an Event;
� the date for the opening and closing of entries for 2008.
It is not intended to renew the Concorde Agreement provisions which prevent teams selling components or complete chassis to other competitors. It is proposed to allow an entirely free market in this area.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]FIA unveils plan for 'low cost' F1
By Jonathan Noble December 21st 2005, 16:06 GMT
The FIA has unveiled its plans for a low-cost Formula One from 2008 amid concerns from president Max Mosley that the sport's current levels of expenditure are unsustainable.
After consulting with teams and taking on board the message from a fans' survey this year, the FIA has outlined rules that it hopes will allow an independent team to compete successfully for $100 million (US) a year.
Among the rule changes are the provision to ban new expensive technologies, the introduction of the Centreline Downwash Generating (CDG) Wing, rev-limited engines, the introduction of standard ECUs and wider slick tyres (see summary of planned rule changes below).
Mosley said: "The real argument in Formula One is not about sports governance or even about how much money FOM gives the teams. It's all about costs.
"The World Championship must remain financially viable for independent teams. Against this, two (possibly three) manufacturers want to win by spending unlimited amounts of money. This approach has caused great damage to motor sport, most recently to IRL in America. We don't want it in F1.
"One manufacturer is spending a sum greater than half its total annual dividend. This is unsustainable and sooner or later the shareholders will notice."
Beyond the changes to the technical regulations, the FIA is also hoping to make amendments to the Sporting Regulations to allow a single tyre supplier, three-race engines, four-race transmissions and weight penalties for the early replacements of engine and gearboxes.
The FIA also plans to introduce further cost-cutting measures for 2009. These include limiting teams to only making two changes of bodywork during a season and allowing energy storage and hybrid systems on the cars.
There are also moves to allow teams to sell customer cars and components to other outfits from 2008, once the current Concorde Agreement expires.
Summary of the main changes for the 2008 regulations:
� New technologies which give a team an advantage for one season but which are then adopted by all teams for subsequent seasons at significant expense will be banned after the end of the first season (Article 2.5).
Reason: To reduce costs. This allows a team which discovers a new technology to benefit from it, but prevents Formula One as a whole then spending money on the same technology only to leave all the teams in exactly the same (relative) positions as before.
� The rear wing is split in two.
Reason: Research indicates that this will produce a wake in which the car behind will perform much better, thus facilitating overtaking.
� Changes to the bodywork regulations to reduce downforce while maintaining drag levels so as to avoid an increase in cornering speeds over 2006 levels (Article 3).
Reason: Safety.
� Changes to the bodywork regulations at the front of the car to make the car behave better in traffic (Article 3).
Reason: To facilitate overtaking.
� Limitations on possible "interesting" areas of aerodynamic research (Article 3).
Reason: To reduce costs.
� The minimum weight is reduced from 605 to 550kg (Article 4).
Reason: To eliminate the cost of purchasing 55kg of very expensive high density ballast for each car and transporting it all over the world. Cars will also be safer without this extra weight.
� Engine to be subject to a rev limit of 19,000 rpm, with a possible increase to 20,000 rpm in consultation with the competing teams (Article 5.1.3).
Reason: To reduce costs and to redirect engine research towards road-relevant technologies.
� A standard electronic control unit for engine and gearbox to be used at all times in Formula One (Article 8.2).
Reason: To reduce costs, eliminate driver aids such as traction control and allow the FIA to check engine use and testing mileage.
� Gear ratios to have a minimum thickness of 12mm (Article 9.3.3).
Reason: To reduce costs by making gearboxes more robust.
� Tyre pressures may be adjusted by the driver while the car is moving (Article 12.5).
Reason: Safety, particularly during safety car periods.
� Maximum wheel diameter increased to 640mm front and 710mm rear, with maximum widths of 365mm front and 460mm rear (Article 12.4) with slick tyres.
Reason: To increase "mechanical" grip to compensate for reduced aerodynamic downforce to facilitate overtaking.
� Only permitted materials may be used to construct the car (Article 15.1).
Reason: To reduce costs.
� At least 5.75% (m/m) of fuel must be from biological sources (Article 19.4.5).
Reason: To keep ahead of developments in fuel for road cars.
2009
From 2009 each team may make only two changes of bodywork after the start of the season (Article 3.15).
Reason: To reduce costs.
It is intended to allow systems for energy storage and recovery (hybrid systems) from 2009, provided this can be done without causing budgetary difficulties for any of the competing teams.
In addition to the proposed 2008 Technical Regulations it is intended to make changes to the Formula One Sporting Regulations for 2008. These will be submitted to the World Motor Sport Council on March 22, 2006 and will include:
� arrangements for a single tyre supplier in 2008;
� three - Event engines;
� four - Event transmissions;
� weight penalties for early replacement of engine or gearbox;
� testing restrictions;
� a limit of two cars per team at an Event;
� the date for the opening and closing of entries for 2008.
It is not intended to renew the Concorde Agreement provisions which prevent teams selling components or complete chassis to other competitors. It is proposed to allow an entirely free market in this area.[/QUOTE]
| TimStevens | 12-21-2005 01:43 PM |
*sob*
| StuBeck | 12-21-2005 03:05 PM |
Most of that looks pretty interesting. I like that they are decreasing the weight of the car.
| TimStevens | 12-21-2005 03:11 PM |
Any rule that specifically intends to prevent something "interesting" is almost by definition bad for the sport.
| driggity | 12-21-2005 03:15 PM |
[QUOTE]The FIA also plans to introduce further cost-cutting measures for 2009. These include limiting teams to only making two changes of bodywork during a season and [b]allowing energy storage and hybrid systems on the cars.[/b][/QUOTE]
How in the world is developing energy storage and hybrid systems supposed to cut costs?
And I'd really like to hear how they're going to decide what is an "interesting area of aerodynamic research" and what "New technologies which give a team an advantage for one season but which are then adopted by all teams for subsequent seasons" are.
I do like the reduced weight, the slicks, and if the aero regulations are done well they could provide for some more interesting racing.
How in the world is developing energy storage and hybrid systems supposed to cut costs?
And I'd really like to hear how they're going to decide what is an "interesting area of aerodynamic research" and what "New technologies which give a team an advantage for one season but which are then adopted by all teams for subsequent seasons" are.
I do like the reduced weight, the slicks, and if the aero regulations are done well they could provide for some more interesting racing.
| Harvey_Mushman | 12-21-2005 03:19 PM |
[QUOTE]Max: "Against this, two (possibly three) manufacturers want to win by spending unlimited amounts of money. This approach has caused great damage to motor sport, most recently to IRL in America."[/QUOTE]
I thought the enormous rift between the two camps and the IRL's (until recently) lack of road courses did that. I didn't think it was the enormous budgets. Am I wrong, did I miss something?
I thought the enormous rift between the two camps and the IRL's (until recently) lack of road courses did that. I didn't think it was the enormous budgets. Am I wrong, did I miss something?
| Ferg | 12-21-2005 03:24 PM |
[QUOTE=Harvey_Mushman]I thought the enormous rift between the two camps and the IRL's (until recently) lack of road courses did that. I didn't think it was the enormous budgets. Am I wrong, did I miss something?[/QUOTE]
I believe he's referring to the fact that two of the three engine manufactuers in the IRL, Chevy and Toyota, have pulled out, leaving only Honda. Both cited the increasing costs of competing as factors.
I believe he's referring to the fact that two of the three engine manufactuers in the IRL, Chevy and Toyota, have pulled out, leaving only Honda. Both cited the increasing costs of competing as factors.
| Ferg | 12-22-2005 11:24 AM |
More from Max
[QUOTE]Mosley targets big spenders, not spectacle
By Michele Lostia December 22nd 2005, 11:12 GMT
FIA president Max Mosley insists that Formula One's spectacle will not suffer from plans to introduce 'low-cost' regulations.
The governing body unveiled its 2008 rules yesterday, with the aim of bringing down costs to help independent teams remain competitive against the might of the manufacturers.
And although moves to outlaw new technologies and car modifications, introduce some standard parts and increase the life of major components have opened up the sport to criticisms that it may lose its technological-appeal, Mosley is adamant the move is right for the sport.
"Nowadays most of the technology in F1 is equal to money thrown out of the window for useless investments," he said in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Money is spent more than needed to satisfy the hobby of a few aerodynamics specialists. The British aeronautics industry turns a profit with research because it has discipline in spending. In F1, on the other hand, nobody asks himself how much it costs to produce a certain component, which will probably never be used.
"Another example: the 2005 Cosworth engine was fairly similar to the BMW's, and yet I think it cost 10 percent of what the Germans spent. F1's hi-tech image won't suffer from it."
Mosley has said that the motivation for the new rules is not to help manufacturers save a specific amount of money, but to ensure that they do not get a big advantage from their huge budgets.
"If you will, there won't be savings, because you can't prevent people from spending 250 or 350 million euros if they want to," added Mosley. "However we want to reduce the technical difference between the squanderers and those who will have a 100-million budget.
"The objective is to give to the second bests too a chance to win with wise management, a good driver and ingenious designers. As it happened in the past with Wolf and Hesketh."
And Mosley claims it is important that action is taken now because even front-running teams like Ferrari may have to quit the sport unless costs are brought down.
"If Ferrari turn a profit or break even, they'll certainly carry on. Otherwise they might quit in order not to be a burden over their road car production, by raising the prices of their cars to pay for racing in F1. This is true for everyone.
"Williams today are back to being an independent team, and must earn or keep up with the costs to guarantee a future for themselves.
"Mr Mateschitz at Red Bull is a sponsor-constructor with a completely commercial vision: he spends money according to his marketing objective, but he must balance his accounts too."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Mosley: radical wing will gain support
By Michele Lostia December 22nd 2005, 11:24 GMT
FIA president Max Mosley believes the Formula One technical directors will eventually support the radical Centreline Downwash Generating (CDG) wing - despite their unanimous rejection of a proposal to get it introduced for 2007.
Mosley claims there is general support for the double rear-wing idea but concerns that more work is needed to make sure it can be successfully incorporated onto cars.
"There has been a will to take time in order to study the proposal, to see how it will impact on the bodywork, on the chassis and so on," said Mosley in Gazzetta dello Sport.
"2007 is too close, but in 2008 people will like the proposal. The FIA studies say there won't be air vortexes over the cars following, nor loss of grip. Therefore overtaking will be back, as the fans demand."
And Mosley has said that Japanese tyre manufacturer Bridgestone are far from guaranteed to be F1's sole tyre supplier from 2008, when the FIA plan to adopt control tyres.
"We'll consider the technological level of the industry, its proposals and its costs. We'll send the offer to the greatest tyre constructors, including Pirelli. Then we'll decide."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]New qualifying is confusing, says Mosley
December 22nd 2005, 12:06 GMT
FIA president Max Mosley believes the new knock-out qualifying system imposed in Formula One will make the pre-race sessions confusing for the public.
"The qualifying system for the races in 2006 is going to be very tough to understand," Mosley told French sports daily L'Equipe.
"I think that the public is going to be just like me when I watch an American football game: I can watch it; it's a great show. But I don't have the slightest idea about what's happening.
"It's very annoying. I knew that qualification based on the fastest lap were not much fun for the public in the stands. But on television it was really good. You knew exactly what was going on."
Formula One has switched to a new system for 2006 after much debate over the single-lap format which was introduced in 2003 to replace the previous 12-lap, free-for-all session.
According to the new rules, five cars will drop out after a first 15-minute session and another five after a second stint.
The remaining 10 will then fight for pole in a 20-minute final session.
The previous system, with each car running alone against the clock, was much criticised by teams.
Sunday qualifying was introduced this year and then abandoned after six races following protests.
"At least the public will know who is the fastest driver as the times will appear on a board," Mosley said.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Toro Rosso to unveil car in Bahrain
By Jonathan Noble December 22nd 2005, 15:06 GMT
Scuderia Toro Rosso will not launch their new Formula One team and car until the eve of the season in Bahrain - when they join sister team Red Bull Racing's official unveiling.
The outfit, owned by energy drinks company Red Bull, will uncover the STR1 at the Sakhir circuit on the Thursday before the season-opening Grand Prix.
They will form a part of Red Bull's plans to launch both of their F1 teams in Bahrain, rather than having a separate launch during pre-season testing.
Red Bull Racing's RBR2 has already had a shakedown test at Silverstone, while Toro Rosso are still working on their STR1 car at their Faenza factory.[/QUOTE]
The stickers on the RB1 must have been applied with superglue.
[QUOTE]Mosley targets big spenders, not spectacle
By Michele Lostia December 22nd 2005, 11:12 GMT
FIA president Max Mosley insists that Formula One's spectacle will not suffer from plans to introduce 'low-cost' regulations.
The governing body unveiled its 2008 rules yesterday, with the aim of bringing down costs to help independent teams remain competitive against the might of the manufacturers.
And although moves to outlaw new technologies and car modifications, introduce some standard parts and increase the life of major components have opened up the sport to criticisms that it may lose its technological-appeal, Mosley is adamant the move is right for the sport.
"Nowadays most of the technology in F1 is equal to money thrown out of the window for useless investments," he said in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Money is spent more than needed to satisfy the hobby of a few aerodynamics specialists. The British aeronautics industry turns a profit with research because it has discipline in spending. In F1, on the other hand, nobody asks himself how much it costs to produce a certain component, which will probably never be used.
"Another example: the 2005 Cosworth engine was fairly similar to the BMW's, and yet I think it cost 10 percent of what the Germans spent. F1's hi-tech image won't suffer from it."
Mosley has said that the motivation for the new rules is not to help manufacturers save a specific amount of money, but to ensure that they do not get a big advantage from their huge budgets.
"If you will, there won't be savings, because you can't prevent people from spending 250 or 350 million euros if they want to," added Mosley. "However we want to reduce the technical difference between the squanderers and those who will have a 100-million budget.
"The objective is to give to the second bests too a chance to win with wise management, a good driver and ingenious designers. As it happened in the past with Wolf and Hesketh."
And Mosley claims it is important that action is taken now because even front-running teams like Ferrari may have to quit the sport unless costs are brought down.
"If Ferrari turn a profit or break even, they'll certainly carry on. Otherwise they might quit in order not to be a burden over their road car production, by raising the prices of their cars to pay for racing in F1. This is true for everyone.
"Williams today are back to being an independent team, and must earn or keep up with the costs to guarantee a future for themselves.
"Mr Mateschitz at Red Bull is a sponsor-constructor with a completely commercial vision: he spends money according to his marketing objective, but he must balance his accounts too."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Mosley: radical wing will gain support
By Michele Lostia December 22nd 2005, 11:24 GMT
FIA president Max Mosley believes the Formula One technical directors will eventually support the radical Centreline Downwash Generating (CDG) wing - despite their unanimous rejection of a proposal to get it introduced for 2007.
Mosley claims there is general support for the double rear-wing idea but concerns that more work is needed to make sure it can be successfully incorporated onto cars.
"There has been a will to take time in order to study the proposal, to see how it will impact on the bodywork, on the chassis and so on," said Mosley in Gazzetta dello Sport.
"2007 is too close, but in 2008 people will like the proposal. The FIA studies say there won't be air vortexes over the cars following, nor loss of grip. Therefore overtaking will be back, as the fans demand."
And Mosley has said that Japanese tyre manufacturer Bridgestone are far from guaranteed to be F1's sole tyre supplier from 2008, when the FIA plan to adopt control tyres.
"We'll consider the technological level of the industry, its proposals and its costs. We'll send the offer to the greatest tyre constructors, including Pirelli. Then we'll decide."[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]New qualifying is confusing, says Mosley
December 22nd 2005, 12:06 GMT
FIA president Max Mosley believes the new knock-out qualifying system imposed in Formula One will make the pre-race sessions confusing for the public.
"The qualifying system for the races in 2006 is going to be very tough to understand," Mosley told French sports daily L'Equipe.
"I think that the public is going to be just like me when I watch an American football game: I can watch it; it's a great show. But I don't have the slightest idea about what's happening.
"It's very annoying. I knew that qualification based on the fastest lap were not much fun for the public in the stands. But on television it was really good. You knew exactly what was going on."
Formula One has switched to a new system for 2006 after much debate over the single-lap format which was introduced in 2003 to replace the previous 12-lap, free-for-all session.
According to the new rules, five cars will drop out after a first 15-minute session and another five after a second stint.
The remaining 10 will then fight for pole in a 20-minute final session.
The previous system, with each car running alone against the clock, was much criticised by teams.
Sunday qualifying was introduced this year and then abandoned after six races following protests.
"At least the public will know who is the fastest driver as the times will appear on a board," Mosley said.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Toro Rosso to unveil car in Bahrain
By Jonathan Noble December 22nd 2005, 15:06 GMT
Scuderia Toro Rosso will not launch their new Formula One team and car until the eve of the season in Bahrain - when they join sister team Red Bull Racing's official unveiling.
The outfit, owned by energy drinks company Red Bull, will uncover the STR1 at the Sakhir circuit on the Thursday before the season-opening Grand Prix.
They will form a part of Red Bull's plans to launch both of their F1 teams in Bahrain, rather than having a separate launch during pre-season testing.
Red Bull Racing's RBR2 has already had a shakedown test at Silverstone, while Toro Rosso are still working on their STR1 car at their Faenza factory.[/QUOTE]
The stickers on the RB1 must have been applied with superglue.
| Ferg | 12-22-2005 12:46 PM |
My favorite rumor of late, seems to pop up every five years or so.
[QUOTE]Penske considering a return to F1
By Jonathan Noble December 22nd 2005, 17:18 GMT
American team Penske Racing are considering making a return to Formula One in 2008, providing the cost of competing is brought down, autosport.com has learned.
With the FIA having announced this week the new 'low-cost' regulations that it will introduce from the start of 2008, speculation has been mounting that a number of independent teams are close to giving the green light to joining the sport.
And high-level sources have revealed that Penske boss Roger Penske has already approached Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone and told him that if budgets can be cut to around $80 million (USD), then he is ready to enter the fray.
That budget target fits in exactly with the level at which FIA president Max Mosley is setting to allow teams to be competitive against the might of manufacturers - some of whom are happy to spend up to five times that amount.
Mosley all but confirmed the Penske approach in an interview with French newspaper L'Equipe, even though he did not specifically name the team.
"At the moment, F1 is too expensive," he said. "A big private team, very well known in America, recently told Bernie: 'We want to join F1, but only if we can do it with a budget of 80 million dollars' - because that is the level at which that team can make a profit. Frank (Williams) is now thinking along the same lines, Ferrari too..."
Mosley has claimed that there are up to six organizations outside of F1 who are believed to be considering entering a team in the future. BAR boss David Richards' Prodrive operation and the Japanese Direxiv organisation have both gone public in saying that they are also looking at F1.
Mosley said: "There are three, perhaps even four people who are very well known - I'll leave it to you to guess their names, who want to join F1, but who are currently unable to because of the costs involved.
"And if we manage to reduce the costs, to 100 to 120 million dollars, for a reasonable budget, they will come. They are independent teams, who therefore have to earn their living from sponsorship. They do not want to lose money in F1.
"They are racing people. They are from the milieu; they have money or access to money. If I count them all, in fact, there are at least six who have this project in mind, including three, as I see it, or even four, who are serious. They have two years ahead of them in which to prepare. But they must make a decision at the beginning of 2006 if they want to compete in 2008."
Penske, who currently compete in the Indy Racing League, NASCAR and the ALMS, took part in 30 Formula One race between the 1974 Canadian Grand Prix and the 1976 Japanese Grand Prix.
They took one victory, at the 1976 Austrian Grand Prix, with John Watson at the wheel.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Penske considering a return to F1
By Jonathan Noble December 22nd 2005, 17:18 GMT
American team Penske Racing are considering making a return to Formula One in 2008, providing the cost of competing is brought down, autosport.com has learned.
With the FIA having announced this week the new 'low-cost' regulations that it will introduce from the start of 2008, speculation has been mounting that a number of independent teams are close to giving the green light to joining the sport.
And high-level sources have revealed that Penske boss Roger Penske has already approached Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone and told him that if budgets can be cut to around $80 million (USD), then he is ready to enter the fray.
That budget target fits in exactly with the level at which FIA president Max Mosley is setting to allow teams to be competitive against the might of manufacturers - some of whom are happy to spend up to five times that amount.
Mosley all but confirmed the Penske approach in an interview with French newspaper L'Equipe, even though he did not specifically name the team.
"At the moment, F1 is too expensive," he said. "A big private team, very well known in America, recently told Bernie: 'We want to join F1, but only if we can do it with a budget of 80 million dollars' - because that is the level at which that team can make a profit. Frank (Williams) is now thinking along the same lines, Ferrari too..."
Mosley has claimed that there are up to six organizations outside of F1 who are believed to be considering entering a team in the future. BAR boss David Richards' Prodrive operation and the Japanese Direxiv organisation have both gone public in saying that they are also looking at F1.
Mosley said: "There are three, perhaps even four people who are very well known - I'll leave it to you to guess their names, who want to join F1, but who are currently unable to because of the costs involved.
"And if we manage to reduce the costs, to 100 to 120 million dollars, for a reasonable budget, they will come. They are independent teams, who therefore have to earn their living from sponsorship. They do not want to lose money in F1.
"They are racing people. They are from the milieu; they have money or access to money. If I count them all, in fact, there are at least six who have this project in mind, including three, as I see it, or even four, who are serious. They have two years ahead of them in which to prepare. But they must make a decision at the beginning of 2006 if they want to compete in 2008."
Penske, who currently compete in the Indy Racing League, NASCAR and the ALMS, took part in 30 Formula One race between the 1974 Canadian Grand Prix and the 1976 Japanese Grand Prix.
They took one victory, at the 1976 Austrian Grand Prix, with John Watson at the wheel.[/QUOTE]
| StuBeck | 12-22-2005 01:45 PM |
Penske joining would be interesting, but I don't think they would do too well.
| REXLR8 | 12-22-2005 10:24 PM |
these new rules for 08 sound kind of cool. while i absoloutly LOVE and respect the engineering and R&D that goes into these cars, in the end the cars out there now cost so much money to develop its not even funny. the future cars are going to be lighter with more rubber and aren't gunna have things like TCS and stuff? i for one am all for it. but we are getting ahead of ourselves here, the 06 season is yet to come, remember? lol
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