Nelson Piquet Jnr looks increasingly unlikely to finish the season with Renault. Rumours have intensified since the Hungarian Grand Prix that he will be replaced at the team by Romain Grosjean. And details have emerged of a row between Renault boss Flavio Briatore, the driver, and his three-times champion father:
flavio briatore articles archive
ING quits F1 – will Renault follow?
Posted onRenault’s title sponsor ING has confirmed what was widely expected – that it will not continue its F1 activities beyond the end of 2009. As well as sponsoring the French team, ING also backed the Australian, Hungarian and Belgian Grands Prix in 2008. Faced with the loss of such a major backer, will Renault cut … Continue reading ING quits F1 – will Renault follow?
The future of Renault’s F1 team
Posted onA few developments in recent weeks have planted seeds of doubt in my mind about Renault’s future in Formula 1. Fernando Alonso seems to want to leave the team and they’ve admitted their engine programme has fallen behind their rivals’. The general economic outlook remains gloomy and it seems particularly poor for Renault’s car making … Continue reading The future of Renault’s F1 team
Flavio Briatore admits Renault have fallen behind on engine development
Posted onThe F1 team bosses have been meeting at Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello to come up with a set of proposals for F1’s rules for 2011 and beyond. Speaking before the meeting, Renault’s Flavio Briatore gave a frank assessment of his team’s problems: The problem is that us, Renault, have stuck to the letter of the … Continue reading Flavio Briatore admits Renault have fallen behind on engine development
The richest men in motor racing
Posted onI’ve just had a look through the Sunday Times’ annual list of the 1,000 richest people in Britain to see who they reckon the richest Britons in motor racing are. Here are the ones I was able to find – do let me know if you think I’ve missed any. No prizes for guessing who … Continue reading The richest men in motor racing
Has Flavio Briatore lost interest again?
Posted onWhat’s the problem with Renault? It was no great surprise to see the champions of 2005 and 2006 lose their way in 2007. There was certainly no shortage of explanations: they had lost their champion driver and talisman of the team, Fernando Alonso. They had lost the Michelin tyres to which generations of Renault chassis … Continue reading Has Flavio Briatore lost interest again?
Flavio Briatore’s risky gamble on Fernando Alonso may not pay off
Posted onAfter leaving McLaren and returning to Renault, Fernando Alonso is a happy bunny now, right. Apparently not – in an interview with a Spanish publication he showed he was already thinking of moving on again: I’m at Renault because I wanted to get back to winning, like in 2005 and 2006, if not this year … Continue reading Flavio Briatore’s risky gamble on Fernando Alonso may not pay off
2008: Renault
Posted onRenault are one of the most fascinating propositions of 2008 for me. As Felipe Massa said yesterday, many expect them to struggle again in 2008: If you have to take on Alonso it’s better that he’s driving for the French team than McLaren because it seems to me that Renault aren’t at the same level … Continue reading 2008: Renault
New year’s resolutions for F1 drivers
Posted onHaving made my usual new year’s resolutions (about drinking less coffee and spending less time on writing F1 Fanatic) I dreamt up a few resolutions I’d like F1 drivers and other figures to take. Here are 20 resolutions I thought up – suggest some of your own in the comments box below…
The consequences of Thursday’s Renault-McLaren spy hearing (updated)
Posted onThe most controversial season in memory drags on as the World Motor Sports Council waits to hear another enquiry into alleged spying tomorrow. This could turn out to be an important moment for the sport particularly if Renault are found to be guilty of the same misdemeanour as McLaren. It determine whether Fernando Alonso races … Continue reading The consequences of Thursday’s Renault-McLaren spy hearing (updated)
The FIA owe Prodrive an apology
Posted onTomorrow it will be 19 months since the FIA confirmed that Prodrive would be the 12th team in Formula 1 in 2008. Last week David Richards confirmed what many people had suspected for a long time: that Prodrive will not be racing in F1 next year. Prodrive’s absence next year is because the FIA have … Continue reading The FIA owe Prodrive an apology
Fernando Alonso and Nelson Piquet Jnr at Renault in 2008?
Posted onAs speculation grows over Fernando Alonso’s future, Renault’s Flavio Briatore had this to say about his driver pairing for 2008: Renault will certainly have different drivers next year. Alonso has a 60% chance of coming to us. Alonso moving to Renault has been tipped for some time. His most likely partner there – assuming it … Continue reading Fernando Alonso and Nelson Piquet Jnr at Renault in 2008?
When will we see them again?
Posted onThe future of Fernando Alonso is expected to become clear in the next two weeks. And if, as is widely expected, he does leave for McLaren, the shockwaves will be felt up and down the pit lane. Indeed several drivers may already have started the last races of their careers. Here are the big names … Continue reading When will we see them again?
Alonso and Hamilton want split
Posted onFernando Alonso: I’d be delighted if I didn’t carry on with Hamilton. Lewis Hamilton: I’d much rather it were Fernando at Ferrari and me at McLaren. But it looks ever more likely that Alonso will return to Renault rather than switch to Ferrari.
Toyota drop Ralf Schumacher
Posted onRalf Schumacher’s prospects of racing in F1 in 2008 look slim as Toyota have announced he will not race for them next year. The announcement comes one day after Timo Glock, who has been linked his fellow German’s Toyota drive, won the GP2 championship. The past two GP2 champions, Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, both … Continue reading Toyota drop Ralf Schumacher
Debate: End of the line for Fisichella?
Posted onWhat next for Giancarlo Fisichella? The man who was once considered the most promising talent not to have a front-line seat has conspicuously failed to deliver since arriving at Renault in 2005. He’s lagging behind his junior team mate in the world championship standings and the team has not yet confirmed his position for next … Continue reading Debate: End of the line for Fisichella?
The feeder formula champions (p4/4)
Posted onMany of F1’s top drivers have entered the sport after winning the Formula 3000 or, more recently, GP2 championship. But no driver has ever won that junior title and then become F1 champion. In this four part series we take a look at the 22 champions including the driver who could be the first to … Continue reading The feeder formula champions (p4/4)
F1 in the news 50: Hamilton vs Schumacher
Posted onBernie Ecclestone is keen to see a battle between Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher – but even his megabucks might not be enough to make it happen. Also in the F1 news this week advertising revenue from the Turkish GP broadcast fell, speculation over the futures of Nelson Piquet Jnr and Nico Rosberg, and safety … Continue reading F1 in the news 50: Hamilton vs Schumacher
New row over McLaren ECUs
Posted onF1 team bosses are split over the new Electronic Control Units set to be introduced into F1 next year.
F1 in the news 49: Inside Spyker
Posted onA fascinating behind-the-scenes feature on the fledgling Spyker team is the highlight of a bumper F1 news round-up this week. Also check out an excerpt from David Coulthard’s new autobiography in which he admitted to suffering from an eating disorder, thoughts from Honda’s under-fire aerodynamicist Shuhei Nakamoto, and an interview with 1979 F1 champion Jody … Continue reading F1 in the news 49: Inside Spyker