It’s round three this weekend and already some drivers could be using their third engines: Yuji Ide, Christijan Albers and David Coulthard all retired in Bahrain and Sepang – although Coulthard did on the slowing down lap in Bahrain. Felipe Massa, of course, changed engines twice in Bahrain to get extra tyre testing done for … Continue reading Engine check – Australia
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.
Peace reigns – for now
Posted onIn last week’s editorial I suggested that if Ferrari didn’t back down over the flexi-wings row and the five GPMA teams didn’t hand their Formula One applications in to the FIA, we could have had an ugly Indianapolis-style farce on our hands. Happily, the GPMA got their paperwork done on time, and Ferrari have changed … Continue reading Peace reigns – for now
GPMA-FIA deal done?
Posted onPaddock Talk are reporting that the five GPMA-aligned teams – McLaren, BMW, Honda, Renault, Toyota – have submitted their applications to the FIA for participation in the 2008 Formula One World Championship ahead of the March 31st deadline. There is no news yet on whether the FIA have accepted their submissions, or whether they contain … Continue reading GPMA-FIA deal done?
Briatore: “Fix qualifying”
Posted onFIA President Max Mosley has been singing the praises of Renault boss Flavio Briatore in F1 Racing this month. He’d do well to listen to Briatore’s thoughts on the current qualifying system: I think the knockout system is very good but I am still not happy with the first part of Q3. At the moment, … Continue reading Briatore: “Fix qualifying”
F1Fanatic Issue 04 Vol 02
Posted onIn this week’s issue of F1Fanatic: The reign of the Regie The Malaysian Grand Prix marked the first one-two finish for the modern Renault team. We take a look at how the first Renault team failed in their quest to life the championship trophies. [read more] Australian Grand Prix preview For the first time Albert … Continue reading F1Fanatic Issue 04 Vol 02
Australian Grand Prix Preview
Posted onSpaniard vs. Finn. German vs. Columbian. The Regie vs. the Scuderia. This is international sport Formula One-style and it will grace the Melbourne paddock a little later than usual this year because the city has been holding the Commonwealth Games. For those not up to speed on athletics, the Commonwealth Games is basically the Olympics, … Continue reading Australian Grand Prix Preview
F1 qualifying for DTM
Posted onFormula One’s new qualifying system has inspired a similar approach in the popular German Touring Car Championship (DTM). But the German series’ approach will not feature the unpopular fifteen minutes of fuel-burning seen in the F1 model: Session 1: 20 cars on track for 14 minutes. Top 14 proceed. Seven-minute break. Session 2: 14 cars … Continue reading F1 qualifying for DTM
The Reign of the Regie
Posted onRenault’s first Formula One team entered the sport in 1977 at the British Grand Prix. They were the first team to exploit the regulation allowing 1.5-litre turbocharged engines as an alternative to 3.0-litre normally aspirated units – these turbo engines would, within a few years, become de rigeur for all front-running teams. Even though it … Continue reading The Reign of the Regie
Trouble waiting in the wings
Posted onThe political tensions that precipitated the dismal turn of events at Indianapolis last year may have gradually quietened since then, but recently FIA President Max Mosley has noticeably turned the heat up on the manufacturer-aligned (GPMA) teams who are not yet signed up to the 2007 Concorde Agreement – McLaren-Mercedes, Renault, Honda, Toyota and BMW.
Prodrive F1 plan protest
Posted onDavid Richard’s (pictured) ambitions of expanding his Prodrive company ahead of a mooted Formula One entry in 2008 faces protests from local residents – even though it would create jobs in the area. The ‘Fulcrum Prodrive Action Group’ (FPAG) are complaining that the expansion of the Prodrive facility would put local roads under excessive strain … Continue reading Prodrive F1 plan protest
2006 Season Statistics
Posted onThe F1Fanatic 2006 season statistics guide is now available. Check back after ever Grand Prix for an updated statistical analysis of the season from every angle – the best qualifiers, who’s had the most crashes and who would be winning the championship in different points scenarios. Quick season facts to date: Jenson Button has the … Continue reading 2006 Season Statistics
Telegraph slates F1, Button
Posted onThe Daily Telegraph are taking a swipe at Formula One in an anonymous ‘Mike the money’ column. The contributor claims to have talked Hyundai boss Chung Mong Koo out of starting an F1 team in the 1990s and takes a pop at various drivers over their salaries including British driver Jenson Button: The serial English … Continue reading Telegraph slates F1, Button
Malaysian Grand Prix Media Review
Posted onSlightly later than advertised (technical problems I’m afraid, folks!) here is the media review for the Malaysian Grand Prix. Related links Malaysian Grand Prix media review F1Fanatic Volume 02, Issue 03 Tags: f1 / formula one / grand prix
Ecclestone: 3 races could go
Posted onBernie Ecclestone has told French sports magazine L’Equipe that up to three European Formule One Grands Prix could be under threat: “There are two Grands Prix in Italy, two in Germany … more or less two in France if you consider that Monaco and France are related. I think that three Grands Prix could disappear … Continue reading Ecclestone: 3 races could go
Malaysian Grand Prix Media Review
Posted onHeadline Fisichella home and dry in Malaysia They say “Fernando Alonso, the world champion, left here last night leading this season’s title race after finishing second but he now knows that he has a challenger under his own roof.” We say Too early to put any money on Fisichella just yet. Verdict read article Headline … Continue reading Malaysian Grand Prix Media Review
F1Fanatic Vol 2 Issue 3 available
Posted onIn this week’s issue of F1Fanatic: Malaysian Grand Prix review Editorial: Has the bubble burst?
Fisichella leads Renault one-two
2006 Malaysian Grand Prix review
Posted onThe finely-poised qualifying session promised us a great race. But, after the high of Bahrain, the Malaysian Grand Prix failed to deliver anything in the way of thrills.
Has the bubble burst?
Posted onBahrain thrilled us: Formula One came back on a high with drama in qualifying, a gripping battle for race victory, an astonishing rookie debut, and plenty of overtaking. But Malaysia was a tedious damp squib. So which one was the one-off? It’s easy for an F1 fan to let their head drop after a race … Continue reading Has the bubble burst?
Ferrari wing protested
Posted onEight teams have given the FIA notice of their intent to protest Ferrari running what the other teams believe is an illegal wing – but it is their front wing, not their rear wing, which is coming under fire. The teams believe the uppermost part of the Ferrari wing deflects too greatly at high speed … Continue reading Ferrari wing protested
Ferrari engine woes
Posted onGoing into the second round of the championship at Sepang, the team struggling most with the new two-race V8 engine rules appears to be Ferrari. Felipe Massa has now had his engine changed twice and Michael Schumacher will also use a new unit and take a ten-place grid penalty. Fellow Ferrari engine user David Coulthard … Continue reading Ferrari engine woes