This weekend the drivers will once again have to cope with the ?óÔé¼?£super soft?óÔé¼Ôäó tyre. It made for interesting racing in Australia ?óÔé¼ÔÇ£ but should F1 be resorting to gimmicks like forcing drivers to use un-competitive tyres?
formula 1 articles archive
Chinese Grand Prix predictions
Posted onThe 2009 F1 Fanatic Predictions Championship starts here! Get your predictions in for the Chinese Grand Prix for your chance to win some cool F1 prizes…
Chinese Grand Prix practice 2 live blog
Posted onReview the Chinese Grand Prix practice 2 live blog below.
Chinese Grand Prix practice 1 live blog
Posted onReview the live blog for the first free practice session for the Chinese Grand Prix below…
McLaren brings new diffuser to China
Posted onMcLaren have brought a new diffuser solution to China which seems to use some of the concept of the ‘double decker diffuser’ that was passed legal by the FIA earlier this week: (Original image) F1 Fanatic’s tech expert John Beamer reckons: “Doesn’t look as open as Brawn/Williams/Toyota. They’ve only really put on a narrow central … Continue reading McLaren brings new diffuser to China
The explanations for Dennis’s departure
Posted onThe timing of Ron Dennis’s announcement that he is stepping down as CEO of McLaren Racing is bound to provoke speculation that it is a consequence of the FIA’s latest investigation of the team. But could Lewis Hamilton and father/manager Anthony have played a role in Dennis’s departure? Or did he quit in the hope … Continue reading The explanations for Dennis’s departure
Driver rotation is another bad idea
Posted onIn a recent column for Autosport Tony Dodgins argued that F1 drivers should swap between teams at every race. Max Mosley has suggested a similar scheme many times before. Dodgins is so convinced this radical idea has potential he declared: Sorry, but I can’t really see the downside. Never have done. If anyone wants to … Continue reading Driver rotation is another bad idea
What do US F1 fans think of Speed?
Posted onF1 Fanatic’s American guest writer Gerard Hetman gives his verdict on Speed’s coverage of Formula 1. For an American F1 fan like me the amount of commentary regarding the BBC?óÔé¼Ôäós new coverage has been fascinating to follow. It seems to have been well received by many people, but how good a job are Speed doing … Continue reading What do US F1 fans think of Speed?
The diffuser controversy explained (Video)
Posted onHere’s an excellent video from Speed TV’s Steve Matchett explaining the diffuser controversy in detail, with some fascinating close-ups of the three controversial cars: This video was published before today’s appeal court ruling which decided that the diffusers used by Brawn GP, Williams and Toyota are legal.
FIA says Brawn, Williams and Toyota diffusers are legal – what happens next?
Posted onBrawn GP, Williams and Toyota will be allowed to continue using their controversial ?óÔé¼?£double decker?óÔé¼Ôäó diffusers after the FIA rejected an appeal against them by four other teams. The verdict was handed down at a meeting of the International Court of Appeal attended by the seven teams involved, plus McLaren. So which of the teams … Continue reading FIA says Brawn, Williams and Toyota diffusers are legal – what happens next?
F1 links: Diffusers ‘legal’ says Mail
Posted onFormula One championship leader Button to be told his Brawn car is legal "A paddock insider has revealed the court will be reluctant to contradict two sets of stewards who declared the diffusers legal before the Australian and Malaysian grands prix." Don’t blame Hamilton for lying when it goes on all the time in F1 … Continue reading F1 links: Diffusers ‘legal’ says Mail
FIA to rule on legality of Brawn, Williams and Toyota diffusers (Poll)
Posted onThe FIA International Court of Appeal will today finally rule on whether the ‘double decker’ diffusers used by Brawn GP, Toyota and Williams are legal.
F1 links: Ferrari swap Baldisserri for Dyer
Posted onBaldisserri gets factory role in reshuffle "The staff changes mean that Baldisserri will no longer attend races, with his role at the races now being taken by chief track engineer Chris Dyer." James Allen on the diffuser hearing "Ferrari, McLaren, Renault and Red Bull know that the first four races – a quarter of the … Continue reading F1 links: Ferrari swap Baldisserri for Dyer
Button eyes hat-trick at Shanghai (Chinese Grand Prix preview)
Posted onF1 returns to Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix just five races since its last visit. The earlier appearance for the track on the schedule means the teams can expect cooler conditions – and a greater chance of rain. They will also have to get to grips with the super-soft tyre which caused so many … Continue reading Button eyes hat-trick at Shanghai (Chinese Grand Prix preview)
F1 links: Diffuser row latest
Posted onByrne doubts diffuser legality claims No surprise there, then… It’s More Than Just Diffusers… Christian Horner: "The cars are going quicker through the corners now. And the contention over the double diffuser is that the corner speeds will only increase dramatically as they become more refined. The regulations haven’t succeeded in slowing the cars, but … Continue reading F1 links: Diffuser row latest
Will the F1 teams back a candidate in the FIA president election?
Posted onBefore the season began the F1 teams’ association (FOTA) declared they wanted to co-operate with the FIA, as regulators of F1, and Formula One Management, as the commercial owners, to work for the good of the sport. Luca Montezemolo declared: Every sport needs a strong political authority and regulator because we are not in a … Continue reading Will the F1 teams back a candidate in the FIA president election?
2009 F1 cars quicker than in 2008
Posted onSpeed is part of the essential attraction of Formula 1. But containing the ever-escalating cornering speeds of F1 cars has been a major goal of the FIA for safety reasons. The new rules introduced for 2009 were not just aimed at improving the spectacle of the racing in F1, they were also intended to keep … Continue reading 2009 F1 cars quicker than in 2008
Drivers object to late race starts but Abu Dhabi wants special start time for finale
Posted onThe F1 drivers have collectively voiced their unhappiness about late race start times. A GPDA representative confirmed to Autosport the Malaysian Grand Prix might have been re-started had it not been started so late: It wasn’t the rain that was the problem in Malaysia, because it can rain just as heavily at 2pm as it … Continue reading Drivers object to late race starts but Abu Dhabi wants special start time for finale
F1 links: Renault crashes in demo run
Posted onThe fallout from F1’s ‘Lie-gate’ "This week the FIA increased the pressure on Hamilton. A source close to the FIA commented: “First of all Lewis heard the radio exchange. It appeared that the strategy (his and Ryan’s) was to be extremely vague and not be very direct with the answers. Then the interview where he … Continue reading F1 links: Renault crashes in demo run
F1?óÔé¼Ôäós overtaking problem solved?
Posted onThe first two races of 2009 are in the books, giving us our first chance to see if the radical new regulations designed to increase overtaking have had the desired effect. So far the signs are good ?óÔé¼ÔÇ£ but will it last?