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F1 2007 Preview: New rules at a glance

28th February 2007, 12:0028th February 2007, 12:00 | Written by Keith Collantine

As is now customary, the sporting rules have had a shake-up ahead of the new season. The changes range from the seismic (like engine homologation) to tiny acts of bureaucratic house-keeping, tidying up the loose ends from past instances when FIA President Max Mosley was let loose on the F1 sporting regulations. They have also … Continue reading F1 2007 Preview: New rules at a glance

The Ben Evans Column: 1984

28th February 2007, 9:0031st July 2007, 17:06 | Written by Ben Evans

Before a racing wheel has been turned in anger 2007 is already shaping up to be one of the most interesting seasons for a long time. The deck has been well and truly shuffled with many new drivers in new teams. And for once it’s not just confined to the minor men – there is … Continue reading The Ben Evans Column: 1984

F1 2007 Preview: Toyota

27th February 2007, 9:0027th February 2007, 9:00 | Written by Keith Collantine

Which problem do you think angers Toyota’s management more: Their complete failure to deliver on the enormous investment pumped into the team for six years – or the fact that no-one cares? For Toyota are not only one of the least successful teams compared to the amount spent on their F1 campaign – they are … Continue reading F1 2007 Preview: Toyota

Answer me this: How many races does F1 need?

26th February 2007, 12:0017th June 2007, 13:23 | Written by Keith Collantine

Kicking off a new weekly series we want to hear from you on the big questions in Formula 1. First up: the calendar. For decades the F1 calendar hovered at around 16 races, most in Europe. But Bernie Ecclestone has stated his aim of taking it up to 20 races, with more races in more … Continue reading Answer me this: How many races does F1 need?

F1 2007 Preview: The class of ’07

26th February 2007, 9:0026th February 2007, 9:00 | Written by Keith Collantine

Five drivers will embark on their first full Formula 1 seasons in 2007. Among them are two drivers placed with top teams for their debut seasons, and another two who have already made their first Grand Prix starts. What can we expect from them in their first full seasons? And what have they done to … Continue reading F1 2007 Preview: The class of ’07

F1 2007 Preview: BMW

25th February 2007, 9:0025th February 2007, 9:14 | Written by Keith Collantine

Everything I read about BMW’s 2007 season rotates around the same hang-up. Apparently they are doomed to suffer ‘second album syndrome’, where a team that impresses in their first season struggles in the next. Case studies: Stewart, 1998; Prost, 1998; Jordan, 1992 and so on. But this cuts no ice with me. BMW are no … Continue reading F1 2007 Preview: BMW

F1 2007 Preview: The defecting champion

24th February 2007, 12:007th March 2010, 13:03 | Written by Keith Collantine

Formula 1 in 2007 is all about change – and the change that I find most fascinating of all is Fernando Alonso’s defection to McLaren. It’s a very rare thing indeed to see a reigning champion switch teams. In the last three decades Alonso is only the fifth champion to make such a change. The … Continue reading F1 2007 Preview: The defecting champion

F1 in the blogs 19

24th February 2007, 9:0024th February 2007, 9:00 | Written by Keith Collantine

With the season getting close F1 bloggers are asking big questions. Like will Lewis Hamilton eclipse Jenson Button as the British media darling? Are there too many young drivers in F1 today? And how on earth does Ralf Schumacher command a higher pay packet than Fernando Alonso? All this plus our most recommended post of … Continue reading F1 in the blogs 19

F1 2007 Preview: Honda

23rd February 2007, 12:0023rd February 2007, 12:01 | Written by Keith Collantine

Last year Honda were held to be the ‘winter champions’ of Formula One. Anthony Davidson banged in some rapid laps and put the RA106 top of the time sheets. But close inspection of the lap times revealed the car lagged behind the top teams on long runs – which became painfully clear when the season … Continue reading F1 2007 Preview: Honda

F1 in the news 25

23rd February 2007, 9:0022nd June 2007, 18:51 | Written by Keith Collantine

Marco Andretti could be making an appearance at the United States Grand Prix. Also this week, Renault make a political move, Kimi Raikkonen gets a slagging and the Australian Grand Prix is set to lose more money. Plus read about the F1 fan who spent ?��?�?�70,000 on novelty number plates…

F1 2007 Preview: Will you miss Michael?

22nd February 2007, 12:0014th November 2007, 22:21 | Written by Keith Collantine

Thirteen years after he won his first world championship, the Michael Schumacher Show has been cancelled. Many had grown bored of the ceaseless dominance of Schumacher and the Ferrari victory machine. But not his legion of fans, who may struggle to transfer their affections onto another driver. Will you miss Michael Schumacher in 2007? Or … Continue reading F1 2007 Preview: Will you miss Michael?

Banned: Brabham-Alfa Romeo BT46B ‘Fan Car’

22nd February 2007, 9:0022nd August 2016, 11:33 | Written by Keith Collantine

The Brabham-Alfa Romeo BT46B ‘Fan Car’ achieved an incredible 100% victory rate: It started one race, won it, and was banned.

F1 2007 Preview: Ferrari

21st February 2007, 12:0022nd February 2007, 7:34 | Written by Keith Collantine

The great Italian team enters its third era following the death of founder Enzo. First came political chaos, turmoil and defeat. Then a wholly different Ferrari emerged under the Todt-Brawn-Schumacher leadership – a devastating efficient winning machine, a wholly unromantic entity comparer to the Ferrari of old, that dominated the sport with a completeness never … Continue reading F1 2007 Preview: Ferrari

The Ben Evans Column: The truth about testing

21st February 2007, 9:0021st March 2007, 19:56 | Written by Ben Evans

As the F1 pre-season testing continues apace (or, if you’re Honda, slowly) it seems a good time to share my 10 unbreakable rules of testing – and top tips. These will apply to every test session you ever attend in the UK. Certainly they have been true at each test day I’ve been to.

F1 2007 Preview: The Raikkonen conundrum

20th February 2007, 9:0022nd February 2007, 7:34 | Written by Keith Collantine

Kimi Raikkonen: party animal, or apathetic mumbler? Brutally quick race winner, or over-rated car breaker? Heir to Michael Schumacher’s mantle, or, in the words of Jacques Villeneuve, an, “over-rated driver package,” who, “really doesn’t care?” 2007 world drivers’ champion, or three-times runner-up?

F1 2007 Preview: Renault

19th February 2007, 9:008th March 2007, 11:41 | Written by Keith Collantine

It’s not often that a team which has won both championships one year does not have the coveted number one on either of its cars the following season. That is the position Renault are in this year, an unavoidable reminder of the key weakness in their 2007 title defence: the loss of double world champion … Continue reading F1 2007 Preview: Renault

F1 2007 Preview: McLaren

17th February 2007, 12:005th June 2007, 23:32 | Written by Keith Collantine

Sixteen months without a Grand Prix win. Seven years without a championship title. McLaren are starting a season with a totally new driver line-up for the first time ever while under the command of Ron Dennis. They are willing to embrace radical change to win. But will the exciting combination of champion Fernando Alonso and … Continue reading F1 2007 Preview: McLaren

F1 in the blogs 18

17th February 2007, 9:0017th February 2007, 9:06 | Written by Keith Collantine

See some stunning pictures of the 1939 Auto Union that (nearly) went up for sale at Christie’s in our post of the week. Plus a flashback to the 1984 Dallas Grand Prix, trouble for DaimlerChrysler and some strange predictions for 2007.

F1 2007 Preview: The circuits

16th February 2007, 12:0017th June 2007, 13:29 | Written by Keith Collantine

In four weeks’ time the first official practice session of 2007 will begin. And so we kick off our countdown to the racing year with our 2007 season preview. First up: the tracks. With a brand-new venue on the schedule, chopping and changing elsewhere and a couple of unusually long gaps in the calendar, there … Continue reading F1 2007 Preview: The circuits

F1 in the news 24

16th February 2007, 9:0016th February 2007, 9:08 | Written by Keith Collantine

This week’s F1 stories include the race fans suing a Grand Prix promoter and the Grand Prix promoters desperately trying to attract more race fans. Plus the surprising withdrawal of the Auto Union auction, Fernando Alonso has another row with the press, and who the hell is Hinny Rikinen?

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