I’ve just had an interview with Sky News about Felipe Massa’s recovery. Happily the news on the Brazilian’s condition is much more positive than it was when I was on their last week and he gave his first (real) interview to the press today. Thanks once again to lookingspiffy via Twitter who captured the video … Continue reading Interview: Me on Massa on Sky (Video)
As first reported here on Saturday, Nelson Piquet Jnr has been dropped by Renault. And a statement from the Brazilian today gives insight into the simmering resentment between him and team boss Flavio Briatore. We discussed the Renault situation last week and there was some disagreement over whether Briatore had compromised Piquet in trying to … Continue reading Piquet’s scathing attack on Briatore
We last looked at the state of the 2010 F1 calendar back in June. Two months later and there’s still no sign of an F1 calendar for 2010. At this point in the year the schedule for the next season has usually been released. Last year we saw the first draft of the 2009 calendar … Continue reading Still no 2010 F1 calendar
F1 Fanatic guest writer Duncan Stephen, who writes Vee8, looks at how Indy Car drivers have fallen out of fashion in F1. The departure of Sébastien Bourdais from Toro Rosso brings into focus two trends that have emerged in the driver market. The first is the high turnover of drivers in the Red Bull teams, … Continue reading Sebastien Bourdais’ troubles show why IndyCar drivers struggle in modern F1
An article claimed to be an interview with Felipe Massa was debunked by the Ferrari team who revealed the quotes came from Massa’s brother, and not the man himself. More on that story and others below: David Coulthard, Christian Horner and Eddie Jordan offer their analysis on the season so far "Since retiring, Michael’s been … Continue reading F1 links: Felipe Massa’s non-interview
One of the unknown teams that filed an application to be on the F1 grid in 2010 was Stefan Grand Prix. The team’s entry has come to light since it lodged a complaint with the European Union claiming the FIA forced the potential new teams for 2010 to use engines supplied by Cosworth. I spoke … Continue reading Exclusive: Zoran Stefanovic explains his complaint to the EU about the FIA
The Hungarian Grand Prix was Nelson Piquet Jnr’s last start for Renault, according to sources at the team. His replacement has not been officially confirmed but is expected to be Renault Development driver Romain Grosjean. Piquet’s replacement will either race at Valencia or Spa-Francorchamps, depending on whether the team’s appeal against its ban is successful.
It’s always great to see F1 drivers competing in other series when they haven’t got a Grand Prix and two have been at it this weekend. Toro Rosso new boy Jaime Alguersuari scored his first win of the year on his return to the World Series by Renault. Kimi Raikkonen’s extra-curricular activity was his first … Continue reading Alguersuari wins in WSR, Raikkonen crashes out of rally (pictures and video)
Michael Schumacher began preparations for his F1 comeback at Mugello yesterday. Here’s some pictures of the 40-year-old in action in a Ferrari F2007.
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:
Michael Schumacher got back behind the wheel of an F1 car on Friday, driving an F2007 at Mugello. After subitting a request to the other teams, Ferrari have been given permission to run an F60 for one day’s testing so Schumacher can acclimatise. I’m surpriused they’ve allowed them, but I think it shows a commendable … Continue reading F1 links: Schumacher testing video
At 40 years, seven months and 20 days, Michael Schumacher will be the oldest F1 driver to start a Grand Prix in 14 years when he makes his highly-anticipated return at Valencia next month. But that doesn’t bring him anywhere near the record for an oldest Grand Prix starter. He’ll have to come back in … Continue reading Schumacher and F1’s oldest ever drivers
Somewhat oddly, BMW chose to accompany the news of their imminent departure from F1 with this video showing their first shakedown test in 1999. The car was driven at Miramas in France by Jorg Muller, who is now a BMW touring car racer. It was a 1998 Williams chassis fitted with a BMW engine. The … Continue reading BMW’s first F1 test with Williams (video)
Celebrity news is not normally my thing, but I like “Saturday Kitchen” and I like F1 cars (you may have noticed) so this story squeaks in. TV chef James Martin is to indulge his passion for cars by driving a 1996 Benetton B196 in the Monaco Historic Grand Prix next year. The event for historic … Continue reading Celebrity chef to drive 1996 Benetton B196 at Monte-Carlo (Pictures)
Here’s a round-up of F1 news and other interesting links I’ve found today. If you’ve spotted a hot news story, interesting new website or just something funny from the world of F1, please share your links in the comments below. Manager says Kubica now on the market Robert Kubica's manager Daniele Morelli: "There was no … Continue reading F1 links: Kubica didn’t expect BMW to quit
Following BMW’s abrupt decision to quit F1 speculation over which manufacturer might be next if rife. Suspicion tends to fall at the feet of Toyota and Renault. There are many reasons to suspect the latter. Title sponsor ING is leaving the team at the end of the year, talisman driver Fernando Alonso is expected to … Continue reading Renault’s £2.3bn loss adds to financial gloom
When Michael Schumacher makes his return to F1 in three weeks’ time, he’ll find a lot has changed since he parked his 248-F1 after his last race on October 22nd, 2006. That car had grooved tyres, traction control and much less restricted aerodynamics than today’s cars. Not only that, but race weekends have changed, three … Continue reading The new rules, cars and rivals Michael Schumacher will have to get to grips with
The announcement yesterday that BMW is to quit F1 was a shock – at least, until Michael Schumacher announced he was making a comeback. BMW’s statement had much to say about their corporate strategy and implied reasons to do with environmentally-friendly technology were at the heart of their decision. Is that really all there is … Continue reading Why are BMW really quitting F1?
The ever-close F1 Fanatic Predictions Championship has seen another change of lead with Saloolas nicking the top spot from Dougie once more. And with Benno, brouard21, Chua, Dank, ianhaycox, Pete Walker and Sush Meerkat locked in a seven-way tie for third, this one’s going down to the wire.
Other News: Button confirms RoC presence "World championship leader Jenson Button has confirmed that he will take part in the Race of Champions again this year." BMW pulls out, but team should survive "I always thought that they bottled it last year, choosing to work on the 2009 car once they had achieved their 2008 … Continue reading F1 links: Button enters Race of Champions