Morris extend Ferrari deal

8 Sep 2005 |

Philip Morris, owner of the Marlboro tobacco brand, have extended their contract with Ferrari until 2011. This comes in spite of the European Union’s ban on tobacco advertising in sport that began last month. Ferrari are expected to run with so-called ‘subliminal’ branding although it is unclear whether the European Union may attempt to prosecute … Continue reading Morris extend Ferrari deal

Tail-end nightmares

4 Sep 2005 |

For the past few years the F1 grid has stabilised at 10 team franchises providing 20 cars on the grid. Of these 10, it is arguable that 8 are, on their day, capable of scoring a podium finish. But does this represent quality over quantity or the death of the entreprenuerial spirit in F1? Short … Continue reading Tail-end nightmares

A1GP adds Brazil round

31 Aug 2005 |

Sheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum al Maktoum added another string to the bow of his inaugural A1GP series by announcing an expansion of the 2005-06 calendar to include a round at Curitiba, Brazil. The series is set to be the second most international single seater racing series after Formula One in terms of countries visited. Round … Continue reading A1GP adds Brazil round

Finishing School

29 Aug 2005 |

Back in 2004 European Grand Prix weekends were bleak affairs. The main event itself was frequently a Ferrari benefit with little else of note happening further down the field. And on Saturday afternoons the F3000 Championship was in the process of dying a slow death. The last year of F3000 was characterised by grids numbering … Continue reading Finishing School

Editorial: Gimme five

29 Aug 2005 |

Ah, the championship showdown. Forget your Ashes tests and your penalty shoot-outs – this is the supreme sporting spectacle. Two of the world’s finest drivers in two of the fastest cars, one hunting down the other for a place in the pantheon of motor racing greats. And what magnificent venues this battle will be fought … Continue reading Editorial: Gimme five

de la Rosa charges Renault

22 Aug 2005 |

McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa charged championship rivals Renault with using illegal team orders on lap two of the Turkish Grand Prix. Pat Symonds’ order to Fernando Alonso to pass Giancarlo Fisichella was heard on the FOCA TV coverage. But the order to Fisichella was missed.Team orders were supposedly banned after Ferrari’s fixing … Continue reading de la Rosa charges Renault

Alonso takes edge off Raikkonen’s Turkey win

2005 Turkish Grand Prix review

21 Aug 2005 |

Kimi Raikkonen’s fifth Grand Prix win of 2005 was as emphatic as he could have hoped for. But he only drew two points closer to Fernando Alonso in the championship battle, after a late altercation between Juan Pablo Montoya and Tiago Monteiro.

Summer holiday

21 Aug 2005 |

Have you, like me, spent the past two weekends in the pits of despair and misery with no F1 or Moto GP action? If so you will doubtless be ruing the development of the F1 summer break for ruining that excuse to get out of a walk or picnic or some other wholesome activity. But … Continue reading Summer holiday

Schuey’s new second

21 Aug 2005 |

To many, Ferrari is Formula One – especially, it seems, to Max Mosley. To be a Ferrari driver is an honour bestowed to the greatest of talents and one not given lightly. So why on earth is Felipe Massa going to be piloting one of the beloved red cars next season? I’d make a case … Continue reading Schuey’s new second

Editorial: Vote Formula One!

21 Aug 2005 |

The inaugural Turkish Grand Prix has rightly been hailed a success. After the inevitable last-minute organisational panic the facility was, more or less, ready, and certainly in a better shape than Bahrain was for its first race last year. Turkey is typical of a recent trend for emerging, progressive countries to advertise their success and … Continue reading Editorial: Vote Formula One!

BAR for Barrichello

16 Aug 2005 |

Rubens Barrichello’s move to BAR was confirmed today, meaning that either under-fire Takuma Sato or potentially Williams-bound Jenson Button will be out of the Brackley team next year. Barrichello will start his 14th F1 season with his fourth team, and the multi-year deal will take him up until at least the end of 2007. Barrichello’s … Continue reading BAR for Barrichello

Racing for Britain

14 Aug 2005 |

The committed followers of British racing have suffered a blow recently with the news that that Darren Manning has lost his IRL drive and that Adam Carroll is facing a sponsorship crisis if he is to continue his GP2 season. Both are key representatives of Britain in International Motorsport and to see them relegated to … Continue reading Racing for Britain

The good ol’ days

14 Aug 2005 |

Formula One came of age as the seventies turned into the eighties: team sponsorship was widespread, the governing body was beginning to get a handle on safety issues, and television coverage was booming. The sport has come a long way since then – but has it lost its way? My knowledge of 1979 and 1980 … Continue reading The good ol’ days