This new book chronicles Stirling Moss’s entire racing career, covering almost 600 races in F1, F3, touring cars, sports cars, rallies, time trials and more.
Month: December 2009 articles archive
Brawn-Mercedes name change confirmed
Posted onIt seemed little more than a formality but the F1 Commission has approved the new Mercedes Grand Prix team’s request to change its name from Brawn. The FIA statement reads: The team will continue to receive payments based on its historical performance. This has been granted on a one-off exceptional basis due to Mercedes-Benz’s long-term … Continue reading Brawn-Mercedes name change confirmed
Renault F1 team saved claims BBC
Posted onThe BBC’s Andrew Benson claims the Renault F1 team will remain in F1 in 2010. The story claims Renault will keep a 25% stake in the team.
Race winners could get 25 points in 2010
Posted onThe FIA will vote tomorrow on a new points system for F1 proposed by the re-formed F1 Commission. The change looks radical on the surface with a winner getting 25 points instead of ten. But on closer inspection the new points system will probably make little difference at all and only act to encourage drivers … Continue reading Race winners could get 25 points in 2010
First Qatari drives for Williams at Losail
2009 F1 season
Posted onHis Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar became the first Qatari to drive an F1 car in a publicity event for Williams at Losail International Circuit. He drove five laps of the circuit in a 2009-specification FW31 and enthused about the experience afterwards: The Williams FW31 is a remarkable vehicle, unlike any other … Continue reading First Qatari drives for Williams at Losail
Could the new world championship for Le Mans cars be a future rival to F1?
Posted onThe days of a thriving World Sportscar Championship able to rival F1 for popularity among fans and car manufacturers are long past. But that may change in the future as the organisers of the the Le Mans 24 Hours have announced they are planning a world championship for LMP1 sports cars. It’s already got the … Continue reading Could the new world championship for Le Mans cars be a future rival to F1?
F1 2009 DVD “Not in a hurry” reviewed
Posted onF1 season review DVDs just keep getting longer. The 2009 edition – weakly titled “Not in a hurry” – clocks in at more than four-and-a-half hours including extras. The tightly-regulated broadcasting of Formula 1 means this is the only way you can buy video footage of Jenson Button’s championship victory and all the other highlights … Continue reading F1 2009 DVD “Not in a hurry” reviewed
Jenson Button: My championship year (Book review)
Posted onOf the glut of books which have appeared on the subject of Britain’s other F1 superstar Lewis Hamilton, the authorised biography was one of the less interesting efforts. The official word on Jenson Button’s extraordinary championship-winning season promises a more personal angle incorporating his race-by-race notes on the season and even text messages from his … Continue reading Jenson Button: My championship year (Book review)
F1 race ticket discounts run out soon
Posted onBuying F1 tickets isn’t cheap but you can get the best deals if you book quickly. Tracks are offering discounts of up to 20% if you buy your tickets within the next few weeks. Bahrain, Sepang, Catalunya, Silverstone and Spa are all offering discounts for their 2010 F1 races. Here’s where the best bargains can … Continue reading F1 race ticket discounts run out soon
Danica Patrick joins NASCAR
Posted onDanica Patrick joining NASCAR may not seem especially relevant for F1 fans, particularly those of us in Europe. But you have to pause for a moment and consider the scale of the missed opportunity. Here is a talented, female, American racing driver who, had things gone differently, might have ended up in F1. Simply being … Continue reading Danica Patrick joins NASCAR
Update on improvements to F1 Fanatic
Posted onA few weeks ago I asked for your suggestions for how to improve F1 Fanatic. The response was great, with plenty of useful ideas and – just as important – lots of poeple telling me which bits to keep because they like them. I have compiled your suggestions along with the many improvements I want … Continue reading Update on improvements to F1 Fanatic
Button leads F1 drivers in BRDC awards
Posted onFuture McLaren team mates Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton were among the winners in yesterday’s BRDC awards. Button was handed one of his trophies by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, as the BRDC celebrated the extension of Silverstone’s Grand Prix contract. Button claimed four prizes including the BRDC Gold Star for top-performing British (or Commonwealth) driver … Continue reading Button leads F1 drivers in BRDC awards
F1 edging towards 20-race seasons
Posted onThe confirmation of the British Grand Prix on the 2010 F1 calendar yesterday confirms next year’s schedule will be the joint-longest ever. With the first Indian Grand Prix planned for 2011, F1 may soon see its first 20-race championship.
Silverstone to use “more exciting” Moto GP track for 2010 F1 race (Pictures)
Posted onSilverstone intends to use a new track layout for the 2010 British Grand Prix. The new circuit will include most of Silverstone’s signature high-speed bends such as Copse, Maggotts, Becketts and Stowe, but not the high-speed Bridge corner. But a circuit spokesperson told F1 Fanatic he expected the new circuit to be “equally, if not … Continue reading Silverstone to use “more exciting” Moto GP track for 2010 F1 race (Pictures)
What was F1’s best race of the decade?
Posted onWhile the first half of F1’s sixth decade will be remembered for the crushing dominance of Michael Schumacher, the second half was much less predictable. I know I’m as guilty as anyone of complaining about the odd duff race too much when I should be talking up the great moments F1 gives us. So let’s … Continue reading What was F1’s best race of the decade?
Football goes 3D but still no HD for F1
Posted onThe 2010 Football World Cup will be broadcast in 3D next year by Sony. Up to 25 matches in the 64-game series will be available in 3D. F1, meanwhile, has still not embraced the last generation of broadcasting technology: high definition.
2010 British Grand Prix deal done (updated)
Posted onAlan Henry claims on the Guardian’s website that the British Grand Prix will be on the 2010 F1 calendar and stay there until 2014. The story claims a five-year deal with Silverstone to host the British Grand Prix has been struck and will be announced tomorrow. That would coincide with the race-holding British Racing Drivers’ … Continue reading 2010 British Grand Prix deal done (updated)
Massa and di Grassi win 500 mile kart race
Posted onFelipe Massa won a kart race in Brazil for the second weekend in a row. This time it was the 500 Milhas Granja Viana race, which he won with F1 2010 hopeful Lucas di Grassi and Stock Car Lights driver Julio Campos. Rubens Barrichello, who won last year’s Granja Viana, placed third in a five-man … Continue reading Massa and di Grassi win 500 mile kart race
2009 F1 driver biographies updated
Posted onI’ve updated the biographies for each of the 25 drivers who started an F1 race in 2009. You can find them all below: McLaren Lewis Hamilton Heikki Kovalainen Ferrari Felipe Massa Kimi Raikkonen Luca Badoer Giancarlo Fisichella BMW Robert Kubica Nick Heidfeld Renault Fernando Alonso Nelson Piquet Jnr Romain Grosjean Toyota Jarno Trulli Timo Glock … Continue reading 2009 F1 driver biographies updated
BMW pick GT racing and WTCC over F1
Posted onBMW have announced details of the categories they will be racing in during 2010 having pulled out of F1. Far from pulling out of motor racing entirely the company is expanding its GT racing programme, leaving you to wonder what these other categories offer which F1 does not.