Rediscover Formula One

Toyota to pull out of Formula One , Renault may follow

Formula One Addict — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:38:20 +0000

Its raining pullouts after the last round desert race at Abu Dhabi. It seems the 2009 formula one season might very well be the last season of many teams. Toyota was the latest to bite the dust and announce that they would no longer be participating in formula one from next season. The decision comes at a time when people were discussing Toyota’s long term commitment to formula one and praising it.

The FIA has asked Toyota to legally confirm its position on participating in formula one so that it can make arrangements for the 2010 season. Toyota it is believed did not give enough of notice to the FIA.

Bridgestone meanwhile has announced its departure from formula one.

The next casualty might be Renault who havent been able to rescue their team after the controversy regarding Briatore and Symonds. Even Fernando Alonso couldnt rescue the Renault F1 team. In this situation pulling out of the sport might just be the best (and only sane) option available to them.

An official statement from the Toyota team read :

TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announces it plans to withdraw from the FIA Formula One World Championship (F1) at the end of the 2009 season.

TMC, which had viewed its participation in F1 as contributing to the prosperity of automotive culture, remained dedicated to competing at the pinnacle of motor sports, even in the face of the abrupt economic changes that started last year. However, when considering TMC’s motor-sports activities next year and beyond from a comprehensive midterm viewpoint reflecting the current severe economic realities, TMC decided to withdraw from F1.

TMC leaves F1 having compiled 13 podium and 87 point finishes over eight challenging seasons since 2002 with Panasonic Toyota Racing, a full-constructor team. It views its time in F1 — in which teams put forth their best efforts to fiercely compete at racing’s highest level — as an irreplaceable experience that provided an opportunity to develop both human resources and its R&D operations. TMC expresses its deepest appreciation to its F1 fans and others for their warm support.

TMC also wants to express its heartfelt gratitude to all Panasonic Toyota Racing drivers to date and to all Toyota Motorsport GmbH employees who have helped make the team’s achievements possible. TMC intends to do its best to find a solution for those parties who will be affected by any inconvenience this decision may cause.

Drawing on its experience in F1 and other motor sports, TMC intends to move forward in developing exciting production vehicles, such as the Lexus “LFA” supercar and compact rear-wheel-drive sports cars. In motor sports, it will not only race in various categories, but will also actively contribute to further development of motor sports by supporting grassroots races and planning events in which it is easy for people to participate.

Lewis Hamilton reflects back on the Brazilian Grand Prix

Formula One Addict — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:18:43 +0000

Lewis Hamilton reflects on the race in Brazil and handing his crown to Jenson Button.

Spa-Francorchamps residents fight for track’s survival

Formula One Addict — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:24:41 +0000

The residents who live near the track of Spa-Francorchamps have taken it upon their shoulders to ensure the survival of the Belgian Grand Prix which is a regular fixture at the Spa Track. I opened my email yesterday to a statement from an association which claims to represent the residents of the area near the track :

We are an association of people who live near the track of Spa-Francorchamps and we want to confirm that we are not disturbed by the permanent work of the circuit. Could you make known our petition to your members? What do we want ? We want to be sure that the Spa-Francorchamps racing-track can continue to work for the economical future of our country !Since the last publication of the Belgian State Council, too many people think that all the persons living in Francorchamps and all around are disturbed by the noise and are against the circuit , this is not right. We are not deaf with criticisms when those are founded and justified. Our association respects all democratic initiatives, including, those defended by minorities. It’s usual that : « We follow the majority » We really feel more and more attacked by the bad publicity, the false or directed figures, that certain badly disposed people spread everywhere. “The most beautiful circuit of the World” is a real economic tool, which gives work to a significant amount of people and makes a lot of publicity and a dynamic and qualitative image of Belgium all around the world. We are for the continuity of the circuit, and that passes by an optimal exploitation and we will fight to preserve it, we are sorry for the people who don’t agree to be integrated into the local life !

Personally I love the track and my favorite grand prix has been the Belgian Grand Prix of 1998 for a long long time now and perhaps will remain my favorite forever. Lets hope we dont lose this classic track forever though !

Jenson Button and Brawn GP in contract cat and mouse game

Formula One Addict — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:19:15 +0000

Jenson Button seems to be riding high and Brawn GP look all set to pay for his success if the reports suggesting an 8 million pound pay cheque for Jenson Button are to be believed.

Ross Brawn was quoted as saying :

“Jenson’s obviously a great driver so he’s got to be a target. We want him to stay in the team and I think we’ll find a solution.
“Jenson has a contract with us but that contract is not the salary of a world champion, not the salary of a team that is in a much stronger position than it was 10 months ago.
“We’re working with Jenson to find a balance between what we can afford and what he feels is fair for his status and the contribution he can make in the future.”

There is talk in the paddock that Jenson Button could head to McLaren as Lewis Hamilton’s teammate. After he won the constructor’s championship he is hot property and the 5 million pound paycut he took after the sell-out by Honda now seems to have been a blessing in disguise for the Brit driver who couldn’t get much success in formula one till this season with Brawn GP. Brawn GP got him a winning car which was much faster than all other F1 cars and essentially gave the title in his lap.

Button just needs to keep one thing in mind, he shouldn’t play this dangerous game. He is apparently playing hard to catch. Reminds me of the saying :

“Never forget the people whom you meet on the way up, because these are the people you will meet on your way down “

Jenson Button is the 2009 FIA formula one world champion

Formula One Addict — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:13:54 +0000

It took him years, many years, many many years but Jenson Button who seemed to be headed nowhere at the start of the season has silenced his critics. He has won the 2009 formula one world championship with a 5th place finish here at Brazil. Brawn GP scored a double victory with them also snatching the 2009 constructor’s championship in their maiden year as the Brawn GP outfit. One can just imagine Honda kicking themselves in the behind for letting this winning team go, all they needed was some new inspiration and a little smart interpretation of the rules (both courtesy Ross Brawn )

In the end Felipe Massa waved the chequered flag for Jenson Button who will finally have more limelight than compatriot Lewis Hamilton, congratulations to him !

David Coulthard lights Mumbai’s roads on fire !

Formula One Addict — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:38:00 +0000

It was a spectacle any formula one fan would have died to see. David Coulthard scorched across the newly constructed architectural marvel that is the Bandra Worli sea link in a Red Bull formula one car in 3 minutes flat. Normally a car would take around 70 minutes according to the prescribed speed limit. Take a look at the video below, our International readers will also enjoy the beautiful city that is Mumbai (earlier known as Bombay). Also have a look at all the dry ice cooling the brakes.

^{October 11, 2009 will always be remembered as the day Mumbai had its first tryst with F1}^.^{The spirit of this dynamic city was celebrated on the marvellous Rajiv Gandhi Sea}^{Link as Red Bull R}^acing^Pilot^{David Coulthard zoomed down the}^{Rajiv Gand}^h^{i Sea Link in his}^{Red Bull Racing}^{F1 car.}

^{The Sunday afternoon heat did not deter the enthusiasm & passion of}^{the Mumbaikars}^{as they made their way to}^{Bandra Reclamation}^{to view this historic event. The}^energy^{was high, something you would experience before the start of any Formula 1 race.}^{Dressed in the trademark Red Bull Racing}^Pilot^{Jumpsuit, David Coulthard walked out to his magnificent Red Bull}^Racing^{F1 car to do what he came to Mumbai}^{for – give Mumbai its first taste of F1 by driving}^{down the Sea Link.}^{Special C}^{hief Guest for the event,}^Commissio^{ner of Mumbai Police,}^{D. Sivanandan}^{wished David the very best for the event and flagged off the Red Bull Racing F1 Car.}

^{The unmistakable smell of rubber filled the air as the speed machine screeched leaving}^{its wake on}^the^{Sea L}^ink^,^{its first set of}^virgin^t^y^{re marks. The next few moments}^{left Mumbai truly mesmerized, as}^they^{watched in awe}^{as a blur of blue, yellow & red swiftly yet gracefully flowed on the Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link.}

^{To add to the}^{Formula 1 rush}^,^David^{skillfully performed some}^{‘killer – every young racers fantasy’ 360 degree wheel spins}^{on the Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link}^,^{a thrill that people}^have^{never got}^ten^{to experience before.}^David^also^{blasted down}^his^{car into full view of the fans}^{at the Bandra – Reclamation and entertained them with some trademark wheel spins & moves, displaying his enviable skills as a driver & the awesome power of the car. You could almost hear the people egging for more as David headed back to the paddock.}

^{Much to the delight of the people, David returned sans F1 car waving to the crowd, thanking Mumbai for their presence and}^to^{show his appreciation for their support.}

^Commenting^on^{his first experience with F1 in}^India^,^David^{said, “}^{This afternoon has been simply amazing. To be part of Red Bull}^Racⁱ^{ng Team}^{and Mumbai’s first ever F1 showcase event ever has made this an incredible memory to cherish. When I look back on this I can take pride in the fact that I was part of the first Formula 1 team to experience the Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link in a Formula 1 car. Mumbai is such a vibrant city and its simply captivated me despite my short stay. I couldn’t have thought of a better city & place to do this event.}^Thanks^{to Mumbai and its people!}^”

Lets go to Brazil for the formula one driver championship finale !

Formula One Addict — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 05:19:13 +0000

First a video from the McLaren team and Vodafone :

Dusk Til Dawn – The race is on to get Lewis and Heikki’s cars to the Italian Grand Prix in Monza -at a maximum speed of just 56 mph – aboard the team’s Mercedes Transporter, driven by Hugh and Roy.

–

I was reading Ed Gorman’s blog where he was mentioning the same thing about the finale at Brazil, how last year Lewis Hamilton sealed his championship at the formula one Brazilian Grand Prix. this year may not be much different, Jenson Button should look to seal the deal at Brazil and not Abu Dhabi.

Rubens and Vettel wont make it easy though, they can smell the blood and would surely want to dent Jenson Button’s maiden title hopes. But the bigger question is even if he wins the title, people will remember it as the season where complicated ever changing rules decided the championship and not the cars or the drivers. Brawn GP were no where on the scene before the start of the season, so much so that Honda had dropped it as a loss making division , and for those who might have blinked twice during the start of the 2009 formula one season would have found themselves really confused as to who these Brawn GP people are and why are they dominating.

Coming back to the point then, Jenson Button is pretty comfortable with his 85 points, Barrichello lags at 71 and Vettel is further behind at 69. So unless Button messes up big time, he should see the title in his hands.

Onto other news then, Felipe Massa is back testing in Italy , however Ferrari have ruled out that he will drive in a race again in 2009, but its good news nonetheless.

Anyway, back to studying for me, enjoy the great sport that F1 is

Red Bull Formula One Team all set to give Mumbai Wings

Formula One Addict — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 12:30:11 +0000

Good news for Mumbai based formula one fans. The Red Bull formula one team is going to be in town along-with Scottish driver David Coulthard. David will drive his formula one car on the newly opened Bandra Worli sea link. Since I am in Delhi, will miss this opportunity, but you definitely shouldn’t.

Press Release Below :

Mumbai, 30^th September, 2009: Mumbai is set to experience the world of Formula One next month, when it hosts Red Bull Speed Link, the first ever Formula One showcase in India. Celebrating the recently opened Bandra-Worli Sea Link and the spirit of Mumbaikars, Red Bull Speed Link will allow Mumbai to witness an energy charge like never before.

The countdown has started and the stage is set for the event of the year – Red Bull Speed Link. Formula One Driver David Coulthard will race a Red Bull Racing F1 Car down the MSRDC Rajiv Gandhi Bandra – Worli Sea Link, at 2pm on October 11^th, 2009.

Red Bull Energy Drink, known worldwide for its association with extreme sports and a growing presence in F1, is bringing its impressive F1 racing car to Mumbai. Red Bull has scheduled an impressive five day line up of events – from a technical assembly of the car, to the firing up of its engine, to showcasing the car around town – in order to bring the glitz and glamour of Formula One to the fans, the Red Bull way. The high point of the activities will be when Red Bull Driver David Coulthard speeds across the Bandra – Worli Sea Link at 320KPH – maybe even doing a few heart-stopping 360 degree spins! As David Coulthard accelerates his Red Bull Racing car down the superbly engineered road, of which Mumbai is so proud, Red Bull will set pulses racing – it will be a thrill, not only for the F1 fans in the city, but also for the thousands of energetic Mumbaikars.

Expressing his excitement about his forthcoming visit and F1 drive, David Coulthard said, “I am delighted to be coming to India and I’m looking forward to showing you what the Red Bull Racing Formula One team can do. Red Bull is all about high energy and precision performance. The Sea-Link is going to be challenging and exciting course to drive down on and I’m looking forward to Red Bull Racing giving the city of Mumbai an F1 show like they have never seen before.”

Roads and bridges are arteries of a nation as they obliterate distances and connect people while encouraging economic progress. The Rajiv Gandhi (Bandra-Worli) Sea Link will now join a unique list of international landmarks around the globe that Red Bull Racing have used as platforms to perform innovative F1 Show Runs in order to bring F1 to the fans.

Don’t miss the excitement when Man and Machine tackle it down the arc of Mumbai.

Schedule:

October 7^th, 11 am – Assembly of Red Bull Racing Car – J W Marriott, Mumbai

October 8^th – Showcasing of Red Bull Racing Car – Inorbit Mall, Malad, Mumbai

October 9^th – Showcasing of Red Bull Racing Car – Nirmal Lifestyle, Mulund, Mumbai

October 10^th, 12 noon – Engine Fire Up of the Red Bull Racing Car – Paddock, Before Toll Plaza of Bandra – Worli Sealink, Bandra, Mumbai

October 10^th, 9 pm – Red Bull Speed Link F1 Party, Enigma, JW Marriott, Juhu, Mumbai

October 11^th, 2 pm – Red Bull Speed Link Show Run – Paddock, Before Toll Plaza of Bandra – Worli Sealink, Bandra, Mumbai

Fernando Alonso moves to Ferrari on a 3 year contract

Formula One Addict — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:55:29 +0000

Its curtains for Kimi Raikkonen’s stint with the Ferrari formula one team with Ferrari confirm the move of Fernando Alonso to the team on a 3 year contract. All season rumours were alive of Alonso’s switch to Ferrari and they have finally been confirmed. This is Alonso’s 3rd major shift in the last few years, from Renault –> McLaren –> Renault –> Ferrari. This means that Giancarlo Fisichella moves to the reserve driver role. He would have probably been better of with a racing role with Force India but lets see how he holds up as a third driver.

Ferrari’s official press release follows :

Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro announces that it has reached an agreement with the driver Fernando Alonso. The agreement covers three racing seasons, starting in 2010. The Scuderia’s driver line-up next season will therefore be made up of Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso, with Giancarlo Fisichella in the role of reserve driver.
Kimi Raikkonen will leave the team at the end of this current season, after what has been a rewarding and fruitful partnership, which saw him win the Drivers’ title in 2007. He also played a key role in Ferrari’s taking of the Constructor’s title that same year and in 2008.

“We are very proud to welcome to our team another winning driver, who has demonstrated his amazing talent by winning two World Championships in his career to date,” said Stefano Domenicali. “Of course, we wish to thank Kimi for everything he has done during his time with Ferrari: in his first year with us, he managed to win the Drivers’ title, thus making his contribution to Ferrari’s history and he played a vital role in our taking of the Constructors’ title in 2007 and 2008. Even during a difficult season like this one, he has demonstrated his great talent, with several good results, including a great win in Spa and we are sure that we can share more good times together in the final three races of this season.”

“With common consent, we have agreed to terminate the contract binding me toFerrari to the end of 2010, one year ahead of schedule,” said Kimi Raikkonen. “I am very sad to be leaving a team with which I have spent three fantastic years, during which time I won plenty of races. Together, we have won 50% of the world titles in that period and I managed to take the Drivers’ title in 2007, thus achieving the target I had set myself at the start of my career. I have always felt at home with everyone here and I will have many happy memories of my time with the team.”

Should Nelsinho Piquet have been banned alongwith Renault ?

Formula One Addict — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:01:28 +0000

Last week was dramatic as far as formula one controversies go, Renault got a 2 year suspended ban from formula one. Pat Symonds got a 5 year ban from formula one and flamboyant Flavio Briatore got a lifetime ban from the sport of formula one. But there were 2 peculiarities.

First one being the suspended sentence for Renault, kind of reminds on McLaren punishments during the spygate. Even over there the team pleaded ignorance to the action of 1-2 individuals in the company and even in this case the Renault formula one team pleaded the same to Briatore’s and Symond’s actions. While these may seem like valid defences in the sense that they can let you off the hook, its quite safe to say that the defences though plausible seem like long shots.

So this also brings us to the questions whether Nelsinho piquet deserved to be banned alongwith the Renault F1 team and the 2 officials. Now, there are 2 sides to the debate, 1st is the legal one. Nelsinho Piquet got immunity from the FIA for deposing in the case, sort of a whistleblower to the whole incident. Most people agree that whistleblowers deserve amnesty. But was Nelsinho really a whistleblower, he was happy crashing into walls as long as he was getting paid and his seat was secured at the Renault F1 team , when he saw that Flavio was probably going to fire him anyway, he decides to come clean and become the whistleblower. As a fan I feel that Nelsinho Piquet alongwith Renault have brought F1 into a lot of disrepute. One often gives the Ferrari team orders example for F1 controversies, but Renault took it to a new level by telling Nelsinho to crash and that too at a specific point which would cause a longer safety car period.

They not only together cheated the fans, the game , but they also cheated themselves. Its a shame that Nelsinho wasnt banned, his stay is bad for the sport and its reputation. Needless to say after the scandal, formula one will never be the same again.