Today’s look at the history of F1 circuits features some of the most popular tracks of the 1970s that were phased out of F1 in the 1980s as the sport looked to improve safety – and make more money. They include Kyalami in South Africa (where political pressures were also at work) and the Osterreichring … Continue reading F1 circuits history part 6: 1967-70
Champ Car World Series articles archive
Champ Car World Series
F1 blogs review: Renault verdict reaction
Posted onThe F1 blogs are buzzing with reaction to the Renault spy hearing and Lewis Hamilton’s appearance on Top Gear. Read on for more on those topics plus the rumoured Mercedes’ B-team, wheel fairings, Kimi Raikkonen, and just what is the point of F1 anyway?
F1 teams to test slick tyres for possible 2009 return
Posted onFormula 1 teams will conduct a four-day test on slick tyres in December at Jerez with a view to their re-introduction in 2009. Slick tyres were banned in F1 after the 1997 season as the FIA tried to constrain escalating cornering speeds by imposing the use of grooved tyres. Jerez is the last circuit at … Continue reading F1 teams to test slick tyres for possible 2009 return
Timo Glock finally confirmed at Toyota for 2008
Posted onTimo Glock has been confirmed as Jarno Trulli’s team mate at Toyota in 2008 following a lengthy dispute with BMW. Glock, who won the GP2 championship this year, was BMW’s test driver and the Munich marque became involved in a tug-of-love for Glock’s services with Cologne-based Toyota. The Contracts Recognition Board ruled last week that … Continue reading Timo Glock finally confirmed at Toyota for 2008
Champ Car Mexico: Bourdais goes out on a high
Posted onSebastian Bourdais brought the curtain down on his Champ Car career in typical style – by routing the field at Mexico City. He passed pole sitter Will Power early on as Power struggled to keep pace due to the hand injury he picked up at Surfers’ Paradise.
Ten worst… F1 tracks
Posted onThe Shanghai International Circuit is next – and it’s my least favourite track on the calendar. Yes, most people hate the Hungaroring and I can see why – it’s narrow, tight, slow and produces terrible races. But Shanghai annoys me because it’s a missed opportunity. With the amount of money they spent they could have … Continue reading Ten worst… F1 tracks
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)
The feeder formula champions (p3/4)
Posted onThe final step for young drivers heading to Formula 1 has often been the likes of GP2 or its predecessor Formula 3000. But the sport is still waiting to see an F3000 or GP2 champion be crowned Formula 1 champion. In this four part series we take a look at the 22 champions – including … Continue reading The feeder formula champions (p3/4)
Champ Car Assen: Tactical win for Wilson
Posted onJustin Wilson broke his ’07 victory duck in the second Champ Car race in Europe at Assen in the Netherlands. The Briton hit the front after the final round of stops. Bruno Junqueira had been in the lead but his early final stop saw him fall down the order. Jan Heylen followed Wilson home with … Continue reading Champ Car Assen: Tactical win for Wilson
This weekend’s F1 alternative: Champ Car Assen
Posted onThe Champ Car World Series is back in Europe so catch it while you can. But what on earth are they doing at a bike track? Plus German and British tin-top action and the Indy Racing League title races to a climax on the streets of Detroit. There’s no F1 this weekend, but there’s plenty … Continue reading This weekend’s F1 alternative: Champ Car Assen
F1 retirees head for NASCAR
Posted onThe NASCAR Home for Retired Formula One drivers is set to welcome two new residents. Jacques Villeneuve has been hovering on the outskirts of the series since his dismissal from BMW last year. And Toro Rosso refugee Scott Speed is tipped to join Red Bull’s NASCAR squad. Juan Pablo Montoya left MclAren to join NASCAR … Continue reading F1 retirees head for NASCAR
Champ Car Zolder: Bourdais once again
Posted onSebastien Bourdais extended his championship lead with another dominant win as the Champ Car World Series made its return to Europe. But Bruno Junqeira stole the show by grabbing second for Dale Coyne racing after a canny gamble on fuel strategy. He survived a late assault by Justin Wilson who fell back to fifth behind … Continue reading Champ Car Zolder: Bourdais once again
The Ben Evans Column: Bull
Posted onOne of the more entertaining F1 side shows of past weeks was the spat between Scott ‘not got any’ Speed and the Red Bull junior team, which has led to Speed’s departure from the Toro Rosso. Speed is latest in a string of Red Bull-backed drivers who have been rushed into F1 and failed to … Continue reading The Ben Evans Column: Bull
The Ben Evans Column – The best of the worst
Posted onIn my Formula Vee adventures this year I have raced against some very good and very bad drivers. Thanks to the heats and finals format I often get to see the slower drivers in action, and believe me some of them are awful. There is one gentleman in particular who went a lap down when … Continue reading The Ben Evans Column – The best of the worst
Superleague Formula takes aim at F1
Posted onOpen-wheel single-seater racing is, for me, the most exciting sport on the planet. Formula 1, GP2, Champ Car World Series, Indy Racing League, World Series by Renault, A1 Grand Prix, GP Masters – I’ve watched them all. It’s not often that a new racing formula comes along. And it’s even rarer that, when one does, … Continue reading Superleague Formula takes aim at F1
Debate: More street tracks good for F1?
Posted onNext year’s F1 calendar will include three street circuits – the most since the 1991 calendar took in Monte-Carlo, Adelaide and Pheonix. Are you glad to see F1 bringing the show right into the hearts of major cities? Or are street tracks slow and potentially unsafe gimmicks that belong in Champ Car and the Indy … Continue reading Debate: More street tracks good for F1?
Champ Car Road America – Bourdais all the way
Posted onThe news that he’s off to Formula 1 next year doesn’t seem to have distracted Sebastien Bourdais – in fact he romped to his first victory at Elkhart Lake as if he’d been given a new lease of life. And trouble for championship rivals Robert Doornbos and Will Power have thrust him further into the … Continue reading Champ Car Road America – Bourdais all the way
Bourdais replaces Liuzzi for 2008
Posted onToro Rosso have confirmed that Vitantonio Liuzzi will follow Scott Speed out of the door at the end of 2008. As has been widely expected, Liuzzi will make way for Frenchman Sebastien Bourdais. Bourdais has won the Champ Car World Series for the last three years and currently leads the championship. Bourdais has already tested … Continue reading Bourdais replaces Liuzzi for 2008
This weekend’s F1 alternative: Champ Car Road America
Posted onIf you’ve never seen racing at the fantastic Elkhart Lake (Road America) then make sure you tune in to the Champ Car World Series round this weekend. The ultra-fast circuit has been described as America’s answer to Spa-Francorchamps – and if Bernie Ecclestone weren’t so sniffy about paddock standards and the like it would be … Continue reading This weekend’s F1 alternative: Champ Car Road America
More essential & cheap summer reads for F1 fans
Posted onAfter last week’s five must-read F1 summer paperbacks went down so well I thought I’d pick out another five. Once again these are all titles I’ve read and can wholeheartedly recommend – and you can pick them up for pennies from our affiliate partner.