Abysmal conditions at the Belgian Grand Prix meant that no drivers set times in the second free practice session. Michael Schumacher, Jenson Button and tyre supplier Michelin have all suggested the race could not go ahead in similar weather. It is two-and-a-half years since the last fully wet race – Interlagos 2003 – at which … Continue reading Rain stops play at Spa
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.
BMW wait on Heidfeld
Posted onNew Sauber owners BMW have confirmed a contract with Nick Heidfeld for 2007. But attempts to get him in the 06 car have been stalled by the ongoing Jenson Button saga. If Button remains at BAR, Williams have first call on Heidfeld for next year. Rumours persist that BAR have offered Williams a substantial sum … Continue reading BMW wait on Heidfeld
Morris extend Ferrari deal
Posted onPhilip Morris, owner of the Marlboro tobacco brand, have extended their contract with Ferrari until 2011. This comes in spite of the European Union’s ban on tobacco advertising in sport that began last month. Ferrari are expected to run with so-called ‘subliminal’ branding although it is unclear whether the European Union may attempt to prosecute … Continue reading Morris extend Ferrari deal
Italian Grand Prix 2005 Media Review
Posted onWith the tabloids still revelling in thier new-found interest in cricket, Formula One is basically left to pick up the scraps. The Italian Grand Prix may have been significant for the championship chase, but it was still rather dull, which also explains its poor billing in the Monday ‘papers. David Tremayne in The Independent has … Continue reading Italian Grand Prix 2005 Media Review
Editorial: the Michelin witch-hunt
Posted onMichelin boss Pierre Dupasquier has been on the offensive against the FIA this week, condemning President Max Mosley’s insistence that Formula One become a single-tyre series in the future. Mosley has been at great pains to use his much-vaunted survey of Formula One fans conducted earlier this year justification for the necessity of a single-tyre … Continue reading Editorial: the Michelin witch-hunt
Italian Grand Prix 2005 Review
Posted onAs a motor racing fan looking for entertainment the Italian Grand Prix was a horror show of the problematic 2005 regulations. In the end Juan Pablo Montoya won, having never really been pushed, but he bravely drove the final laps with a failing left-rear tyre at speeds of over 350 kph. Championship hopeful Kimi Raikkonen’s … Continue reading Italian Grand Prix 2005 Review
A1GP adds Brazil round
Posted onSheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum al Maktoum added another string to the bow of his inaugural A1GP series by announcing an expansion of the 2005-06 calendar to include a round at Curitiba, Brazil. The series is set to be the second most international single seater racing series after Formula One in terms of countries visited. Round … Continue reading A1GP adds Brazil round
Finishing School
Posted onBack in 2004 European Grand Prix weekends were bleak affairs. The main event itself was frequently a Ferrari benefit with little else of note happening further down the field. And on Saturday afternoons the F3000 Championship was in the process of dying a slow death. The last year of F3000 was characterised by grids numbering … Continue reading Finishing School
Editorial: Gimme five
Posted onAh, the championship showdown. Forget your Ashes tests and your penalty shoot-outs – this is the supreme sporting spectacle. Two of the world’s finest drivers in two of the fastest cars, one hunting down the other for a place in the pantheon of motor racing greats. And what magnificent venues this battle will be fought … Continue reading Editorial: Gimme five
Italian Grand Prix 2005 Preview
Posted onAt Monza the sense of history oozes from the very tarmac. The Italian Grand Prix has been a late-season fixture since the very first Formula One World Championship and is synonymous with the thousands of Ferrari-adoring tifosi who mob the circuit every year. Last year these late races were of little importance to the championship … Continue reading Italian Grand Prix 2005 Preview
Turkish Grand Prix 2005 Media Review
Posted onWith sports editors whipping themselves into an orgasmic frenzy over the new football season, F1 coverage has become harder to find among the soccer detritus. Even a stonking race at a classy new venue cannot help it. This is not a phenomenon limited to the tabloids: Alan Henry’s piece in The Guardian languishes on page … Continue reading Turkish Grand Prix 2005 Media Review
de la Rosa charges Renault
Posted onMcLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa charged championship rivals Renault with using illegal team orders on lap two of the Turkish Grand Prix. Pat Symonds’ order to Fernando Alonso to pass Giancarlo Fisichella was heard on the FOCA TV coverage. But the order to Fisichella was missed.Team orders were supposedly banned after Ferrari’s fixing … Continue reading de la Rosa charges Renault
Alonso takes edge off Raikkonen’s Turkey win
2005 Turkish Grand Prix review
Posted onKimi Raikkonen’s fifth Grand Prix win of 2005 was as emphatic as he could have hoped for. But he only drew two points closer to Fernando Alonso in the championship battle, after a late altercation between Juan Pablo Montoya and Tiago Monteiro.
Summer holiday
Posted onHave you, like me, spent the past two weekends in the pits of despair and misery with no F1 or Moto GP action? If so you will doubtless be ruing the development of the F1 summer break for ruining that excuse to get out of a walk or picnic or some other wholesome activity. But … Continue reading Summer holiday
Schuey’s new second
Posted onTo many, Ferrari is Formula One – especially, it seems, to Max Mosley. To be a Ferrari driver is an honour bestowed to the greatest of talents and one not given lightly. So why on earth is Felipe Massa going to be piloting one of the beloved red cars next season? I’d make a case … Continue reading Schuey’s new second
Editorial: Vote Formula One!
Posted onThe inaugural Turkish Grand Prix has rightly been hailed a success. After the inevitable last-minute organisational panic the facility was, more or less, ready, and certainly in a better shape than Bahrain was for its first race last year. Turkey is typical of a recent trend for emerging, progressive countries to advertise their success and … Continue reading Editorial: Vote Formula One!
BAR for Barrichello
Posted onRubens Barrichello’s move to BAR was confirmed today, meaning that either under-fire Takuma Sato or potentially Williams-bound Jenson Button will be out of the Brackley team next year. Barrichello will start his 14th F1 season with his fourth team, and the multi-year deal will take him up until at least the end of 2007. Barrichello’s … Continue reading BAR for Barrichello
Turkish Grand Prix 2005 Preview
Posted onA first-time visit to a brand new circuit in a country never before visited by Formula One is always exciting. The timing of the inaugural Turkish Grand prix is perfect as the championship battle is finely poised and the outcome of the race for the three protagonists could be critical. The teams may benefit from … Continue reading Turkish Grand Prix 2005 Preview
Editorial: Renault’s Regret
Posted onFernando Alonso is taking nothing for granted as he closes in on the World Championship title. After all, another Renault driver failed to win the title in similar circumstances in 1983: Alain Prost. Alonso may be sitting pretty at the top of the championship table but, with six races left in 2006, his closest rival … Continue reading Editorial: Renault’s Regret
Showdown!
Posted onShowdown! After a demanding period of racing unprecedented in the history of Formula One, the ten teams now face a three-week break in which to ready themselves for the final six races of this gruelling 19-event calendar. But for three teams in particular this short reprieve is just the calm before the storm, as the … Continue reading Showdown!