Toro Rosso STR4 launched – first pictures
2009 F1 season
The Toro Rosso STR4 has been revealed, meaning the 2009 F1 grid is now complete.
2009 F1 testing: March 9th (Update: pictures and video added)
As the start of the 2009 F1 season draws tantalisingly close, today sees the beginning of the final major test before the Australian Grand Prix. Scuderia Toro Rosso will reveal their STR4 which we expect to be very similar to the Red Bull RB5, but with a Ferrari engine. And we’ll have our first chance … Continue reading 2009 F1 testing: March 9th (Update: pictures and video added)
Seat rout the opposition in Curitiba (WTCC)
The motor sport fan looking for early season action would have found little reason to come out of hibernation in today’s two WTCC races from Curitiba in Brazil. If Seat’s domination today continues throughout 2009 it’ll be another season to sleep through. The Leon turbo diesels filled the top four places in both races. Reigning … Continue reading Seat rout the opposition in Curitiba (WTCC)
Michael Schumacher vs Adrian Newey, 1991-2008 (F1 in numbers)
Michael Schumacher’s biggest rival was not a driver but a designer: Adrian Newey. So said K last week in the comments on an article about which driver won the most races. Journeyer suggested a graph showing how the seven-times world champion compared with the man who designed title-winners for McLaren and Williams.
F1 links: Sutil expects close field
Adrian Sutil Q&A: ‘It’s one of the most important seasons in my career’ "I just know the field is very close together, even closer than last year. If in Melbourne all the cars are close together then the chances are higher to get off the back row. Last year it was not easy because the … Continue reading F1 links: Sutil expects close field
F1 links: Jerez testing analysis
Mark Hughes analyses the testing form "In the cooler conditions of Jerez, the Ferrari seemed to take a while to get its tyres up to temperature – repeating a pattern that’s been seen for some years now." Q & A with Renault's Bob Bell Bob Bell: "Moveable aerodynamics is completely new territory for all the … Continue reading F1 links: Jerez testing analysis
Brawn GP’s BGP 001 breaks cover at Silverstone
2009 F1 season
The new Brawn GP team tested its 2009 Formula 1 car at Silverstone today. Jenson Button was at the wheel of the BGP 001.
FOTA’s F1 fans survey results in full
The F1 teams’ association’s plans for the future of Formula 1 attracted a huge amount of interest yesterday. Much of the teams’ recommendations were based on a survey of 8,500 F1 fans conducted by FOTA. F1 Fanatic can now reveal the results of that survey in full for the first time.
What was the F1 news on your birthday?
Yesterday F1 Fanatic celebrated its fourth brithday. By sheer coincidence a couple of days ago I came across the issue of Autosport that was printed on my own birthday: November 5th, 1981 (see picture). This got me thinking – can we find out what the big F1 news was on the day (or week) of … Continue reading What was the F1 news on your birthday?
Brawn GP takes Honda F1’s place on the 2009 F1 grid – official
Ross Brawn has confirmed that his new team Brawn GP will take over from Honda and contest the 2009 F1 season. As has been rumoured in recent weeks the team will use the same Mercedes engines as McLaren and Force India. Ross Brawn will be team principal of his eponymous outfit and Jenson Button and … Continue reading Brawn GP takes Honda F1’s place on the 2009 F1 grid – official
F1 links: Spa’s $4.7m loss
Belgium loses $4.7m The Belgian Grand Prix last year lost $4.7m. The race day attendance was just 52,000, which was 10,000 down on the previous year. 'A wicked shame' if F1 consigns Senna to DTM Bruno Senna's former GP2 boss Paul Jackson: "We really do believe he's a talent, but for some reason a lot … Continue reading F1 links: Spa’s $4.7m loss
F1 Fanatic is four!
F1 Fanatic first appeared on March 5th, 2005 and today it is four years old! In the past I have marked the site’s birthdays by wheeling out new site designs but I’m sticking with the same basic layout for the foreseeable future, though with some minor updates in the pipeline for the coming weeks. As … Continue reading F1 Fanatic is four!
BBC revamps Formula 1 site
The BBC has re-launched its Formula 1 website ahead of the 2009 F1 season. ‘Formula One’ now gets its own tab on the Sport homepage (which, confusingly, is separate from the ‘motor sport’ section). There are some excellent offerings on the site including video clips from past races. There are new columns from pundits including … Continue reading BBC revamps Formula 1 site
The F1 teams’ plans: what’s good, what’s bad and what’s missing
The teams’ plans for the future of F1 revealed today are a mixture of sound ideas plus a couple of complete and utter howlers. There was a lot to commend in the ideas they put forward today, but a few worrying omissions as well. Here’s my take on FOTA’s F1 proposal.
Should F1 races be shorter? (Poll)
The F1 teams’ association has recommended that F1 race distances should be cut from 320km (200 miles) to 250km (155 miles).
Honda ‘saved’ says Nick Fry
Nick Fry has told the BBC that the Honda F1 team has been saved. Fry said: “All the teams and their support have helped us preserve our team. So I, Ross [Brawn] and our 700 employees thank them.” The team is expected to field Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello in its two cars, which they … Continue reading Honda ‘saved’ says Nick Fry
2009 F1 testing: 5th March (Update: pictures added)
It’s the final day of F1 testing at Jerez this week although Renault have packed up and left the test already after Fernando Alonso went fastest yesterday. Force India have done the same. Much of yesterday’s discussion surrounded exactly what McLaren are up to and whether their continued use of a 2008-spec rear wing hints … Continue reading 2009 F1 testing: 5th March (Update: pictures added)
What will be in FOTA’s ‘future of F1’ plan? (Update: announcement in full)
The F1 teams’ association is holding a press conference in Geneva today to reveal its plans for the future of F1. We’ve had a few glimpses of what they’ve got planned – some good, some bad. Here’s what we know and what we expect from today’s announcement. Update: See below for the announcement in full.
F1 links: Mansell vs Hamilton
Mansell: I'm the top man, Lewis Nigel Mansell: “No disrespect to Lewis but what’s the point of a championship where you only have 18 or 20 cars running? When I won the title, I beat 25 other cars. That makes Lewis’ title 20 per cent less credible than mine.” Lewis Hamilton's F1 world title not … Continue reading F1 links: Mansell vs Hamilton
F1 on the iPhone
An F1 application for the iPhone has been launched featuring news headlines from F1 Fanatic. It also offers race day countdown and weather forecasts, drivers and constructors championship standings, event information, team data and more. According to the team behind the application: “We are now the number two most popular sports application in the UK, … Continue reading F1 on the iPhone