So, how did you cope with five months without Formula One? Ben Evans shares his solutions to off-season boredom. The BBC stepped into the breach with some rather excellent alternatives to the lack of F1 action over the winter. First there was the Winter Olympics – complete with F1 action in the opening ceremony. Admittedly … Continue reading Going cold turkey
The Bahrain Grand Prix was a bit of a stonker – and there’s nothing like a cracking first race to set you up for the season. Ben Evans reviews some of his favourites.
All eleven Formula One teams have signed a new pact limiting themselves to 36 days on testing in 2006 as predicted last week. Even Ferrari, who refused to sign a similar pact for 2005 limiting testing to 30 days and repeatedly stated they would only agree to limit testing mileage, have signed. The new deal … Continue reading Test pact gets unanimous support
McLaren’s definitive 2006 livery went on show today after the team confirmed their deal with Emirates airlines. Vodafone will be the team’s title sponsor from 2007. Tags: f1 / formula one / grand prix / emirates / mclaren
The Guardian report today that Vodafone have fired the man responsible for their sponsorship arrangements with Formula One teams. Ousted marketing director Peter Bamford had arranged Vodafone’s sponsorship of Ferrari from 2002 (pictured). The mobile telecommunications giant will transfer their allegiances to McLaren from 2007. The move leads to inevitable speculation over whether Vodafone are … Continue reading Vodafone fire their McLaren man
Midland F1 fan site Midland F1 Online are not happy with jokes made about their team by the UK press. The Guardian and The Times both made light of the team’s name and its similarity to UK furniture store MFI (More Furniture Ideas). MF1 Online writer Huw Alban said: [This] is an old joke, old … Continue reading ‘MFI’ gags irk MF1 fans
Speed TV are celebrating their tenth anniversary by counting down the top ten motorsport moments they’ve broadcasted since 1996. The latest addition, number four, is Mercedes’ disastrous comeback to sports car racing at Le Mans in 1999, when the CLK-GTRs of Mark Webber and Peter Dumbreck flipped at high speed. The full list includes Michael … Continue reading Speed TV’s top 10 motorsport moments
Over the weekend the UK newspapers have been looking ahead to the new Formula One season. Top read was The Guardian, simply for the two page cartoon strip “Super Aguri saves F1” in their excellent 68-page mini-guide to the season published on Saturday. The Guardian lead with Richard Williams’ piece on the ‘Michael Schumacher: will-he-won’t-he-retire’ … Continue reading F1 ’06: What the press say
The Japanese Grand Prix – easily the most exciting race of 2005 – had the fewest live viewers, according to television data monitors Intitiative. Just 24.5m people saw Kimi Raikkonen’s stunning last-lap pass on Giancarlo Fisichella and Fernando Alonso’s amazing move on Michael Schumacher at 130R. The most-watched race was the Canadian Grand Prix, with … Continue reading Best race of ’05 had fewest viewers
For those of who are being ‘Formula One Season Preview’-ed to death (and F1Fanatic are culprits as much as anyone), do check Sniff Petrol’s hilarious Factually Inaccurate F1 Preview. Sniff Petrol Issue 71 Factually Inaccurate F1 Preview (external)
Contrary to earlier expectations the A1 Grand Prix chief operating officer David Clare has confirmed that the Laguna Seca race will go ahead as orginally intended: Despite challenges brought on by the prevailing weather conditions, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is confident that the track will be presented to the necessary standard required to host an … Continue reading A1GP of America un-cancelled
In the first issue of 2006: 2006 Formula One Preview – team by team Bahrain Grand Prix Preview – new season, new starting place Editorial: On with the show
More bad news for A1 Grand Prix fans as a second round of the series has been cancelled. The Laguna Seca round scheduled for next weekend has been axed after heavy rain washed the run-off area away and the circuit owners are expecting it to take weeks to repair. It is the second time a … Continue reading A1GP of America cancelled
It’s all change for 2006 – new teams, rules, qualifying (again) and even a new opening race. The Australian Grand Prix has been moved back to April to accommodate some tedious running-and-jumping festival (that’s The Commonwealth Games – ed.) and so the new season gets underway in the middle of a Bahraini desert. So much … Continue reading Bahrain Grand Prix Preview
The first decade of the 21st century is proving one of the most turbulent in the entire history of Formula One, in terms of changes to the rules of racing. 2006 sees the biggest change to the engine rules since turbos were banned at the end of 1988, as 2.4- litre V8s replace 3-litre V10s. … Continue reading F1 Fanatic season guide 2006
It’s been a long and busy winter here at F1Fanatic. For those of you who were with us last year, welcome back! I hope you’re enjoying to new site design. And for those of you who’ve recently joined us – and I’m delighted to say that’s 75% of you – welcome! 2006 promises to be … Continue reading On with the show
Alonso or Raikkonen? Schumacher or Montoya? Button or Coulthard? The 2006 Formula One season will feature some cracking driver duels – and we want to know who you think will come out on top. Visit the F1Fanatic 2006 Driver Battles and pick which drivers can beat their team mates, their countrymen, and their most bitter … Continue reading Cast your votes for who will triumph in 2006
Ferrari are one of five teams ready to sign a new pact restricting testing ahead of the 2006 season, according to German site Auto Motor und Sport. Auto Motor und Sport believe the pact has already been signed and a fax confirmation will soon be received. Renault, Williams, Mclaren and Honda are the four other … Continue reading New test pact for five?
With the reliability of the Mercedes FO 108 V8 engine (pictured) still suspect, McLaren are still running their V10-engined cars with just one week left until the start of the new season. According to F1 Linksheaven Pedro de la Rosa completed 115 laps in a V10 McLaren only yesterday. Aside from the obvious explanations why … Continue reading McLaren still running V10
The Finnish press are up in arms about Kimi Raikkonen’s rumoured move to Ferrari in 2007. Three newspapers carried the story today according to Paddock Talk. Related links Paddock Talk: Raikkonen signed by Ferrari? (external) Tags: f1 / formula one / grand prix / ferrari / mclaren / raikkonen