BMW’s F1.09 is the last new F1 car we’ll see this month. Here’s a look at the car BMW hope to challenge for the championships with up alongside the other 2009 models.
Keith Collantine's articles on RaceFans
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring journalist, Keith began running the site full-time in 2010, achieving a long-held ambition to dedicate his full attention to his passion for motor racing.
2009 F1 testing notes: January 20th (pictures and video)
Posted onThe same six teams were in action today as yesterday, plus BMW who shook down their new F1.09 at Valencia in Spain. Here’s a recap of the day’s activity plus pictures from the 2009 tests so far. Update: video from the test added below.
Pictures: BMW Sauber unveil their F1.09 at Valencia
Posted onBMW Sauber drivers Rosberg Kubica and Nick Heidfeld revealed their new F1.09 chassis at the Valencia Ricardo Tormo circuit in Spain.
F1 links: Fernando Alonso on Ron Dennis
Posted onAlonso pays tribute to Dennis Fernando Alonso: “I think we are not best friends, but I think there is respect from each other. We didn’t have a perfect end to our relationship but we know how much he has done for Formula One. When I was young I remember McLaren and I had great respect … Continue reading F1 links: Fernando Alonso on Ron Dennis
2009 F1 testing: January 19th (pictures)
Posted onSix F1 teams were in action at two different circuits today. Ferrari made a last-minute decision not to appear at the group test in Portugal and instead worked on the F60 at its home circuit, Mugello. Here are notes and pictures from the tests.
2009 F1 car comparisons: Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, Williams and Toyota
Posted onHalf of the 2009 F1 grid has now been launched providing us with some insight into the different design directions taken by likely front-runners of 2009. Here’s how the freshly-launched Renault R29 and Williams FW31 compare to the Ferrari, McLaren and Toyota that appeared last week.
Is this how the Renault R29 was supposed to look?
Posted onRenault launched its R29 F1 car for 2009 today to more howls of revulsion about what they’ve done with their livery. But Renault’s bizarre front nose arrangement also drew some concerned glances. Its bulbous shape and low-hanging vertical strips look unwieldy compared to most of its rivals. In the comments thread Luke and PrateekF1 unearthed … Continue reading Is this how the Renault R29 was supposed to look?
Pictures: Alonso and Piquet reveal Renault R29 in Portugal
Formula 1
Posted onFirst pictures of the new R29, the car Renault hope will put Fernando Alonso in contention for the Formula 1 drivers’ championship.
Williams FW31 introduced in interim livery
2009 F1 season
Posted onWilliams has revealed its 2009 F1 car – the FW31. The team go into 2009 with Toyota engines for the third year in a row. The FW31 has been presented in an interim livery. Its final paint scheme for the 2009 F1 season will be revealed next month. Pictures of the new Williams below. Drivers … Continue reading Williams FW31 introduced in interim livery
Can you make 2009 F1 cars look good?
Posted onAs we’re in the thick of the F1 launch season there’s much discussion about the look of the cars. Do the new wings make them look stupid? Are the teams’ liveries too boring? Bruno Mantovani has designed alternative liveries for Ferrari (above), McLaren, BMW and Toyota’s 2009 which you can see on his website. How … Continue reading Can you make 2009 F1 cars look good?
Renault R29 pictures leak out early
Posted onPictures of the Renault R29’s bodywork have appeared on the internet ahead of the car’s official launch later today. The pictures of Renault’s 2009 F1 car appear to show a revised livery with more use of yellow and orange and less blue. Dutch website F1today.nl claims the team will carry Total branding in additional to … Continue reading Renault R29 pictures leak out early
Mike Hawthorn memorial this Sunday
Posted onA parade and memorial service to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of Mike Hawthorn will be held in Surrey on Sunday 25th January. Hawthorn won the world championship in 1958, becoming the first British driver to do so. He retired from the sport after that victory, but was killed in a road accident … Continue reading Mike Hawthorn memorial this Sunday
F1 links: BMW F1.09 teaser video
Posted onI was at a stag party last night so no time to do the links round-up. Here’s a bumper weekend collection of F1 reading instead! BMW Sauber F1.09 – The countdown is on. Part 1/3. Video teaser for the 2009 BMW launch on Tuesday. New-look Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-24 makes debut in Portugal “After a … Continue reading F1 links: BMW F1.09 teaser video
Massa’s number four and Kubica’s number five – but who’s number 13?
Posted onEarlier this week the FIA published the list of official team and driver entries for the 2009 season. Pitpass* found it surprising that Robert Kubica had been elevated to number five, giving him a lower number than Nick Heidfeld, which wasn’t the case last year. I didn’t find that remarkable in the slightest. What caught … Continue reading Massa’s number four and Kubica’s number five – but who’s number 13?
2009 McLaren, Ferrari and Toyota F1 cars side-by-side (Pictures)
Posted onWith McLaren’s MP2-24 unveiled yesterday we can now see how the first three 2009 F1 cars to be launched compare. Here’s some close-up comparisons of the new McLaren alongside the Ferrari F60 and Toyota TF109.
Massa in Ferrari ice kart race (Pictures)
Posted onFelipe Massa and Luca Badoer joined in the ice karting race at Ferrari’s annual Madonna di Campiglio ‘Wrooom’ ski event in Italy. But both the F1 drivers were beaten to victory by Ducati MotoGP star Casey Stoner, who passed Massa one lap before the chequered flag. See below for some great pictures from the kart … Continue reading Massa in Ferrari ice kart race (Pictures)
F1 links: F1 Fanatic P7
Posted onBest Sports Blog – The 2008 Weblog Awards Congratulations to Kissing Suzy Kolber who win the award once again. F1 Fanatic finished seventh. The four S’s of Formula One’s future Some wise words from Luca di Montezemolo at Ferrari’s Wrooom event: “I think that this sport has four S’s: stability, seriousness, spectacle and sustainability,” Montezemolo … Continue reading F1 links: F1 Fanatic P7
Indonesian round cancelled, Mexican race moved (A1GP)
Posted onA1 Grand Prix’s attempt to bring its brand of racing to the streets of Indonesia have failed as the Lippo did not gain FIA approval in time: This follows notification this morning from the FIA that certain aspects of the track construction project, undertaken by the local promoter and organisers of the event, have failed … Continue reading Indonesian round cancelled, Mexican race moved (A1GP)
Ron Dennis’s three decades as McLaren team principal, 1980-2009
History
Posted onRon Dennis is stepping down as McLaren team principal. Here’s how he turned the team Bruce McLaren founded into one of the most successful in F1.
Pictures: McLaren reveal their MP4/24 for the 2009 season
2009 F1 season
Posted onMcLaren has shown off its 2009 Formula 1 car, the MP4/24, with which Lewis Hamilton will be looking to defend his crown.