Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed there will be no British Grand Prix at Donington Park in 2010.
Speaking in Abu Dhabi, in the paddock of the new Yas Marina circuit, Ecclestone said: "There's no Donington.
"They've missed the deadline which we kept extending for them."
Donington's final deadline is understood to have been midnight on Tuesday, despite earlier suggestions it was noon on Monday.
Regardless of the specific timing, the Leicestershire circuit's ambitious plan to host one of British sport's blue-riband events is officially dead in the water.
It had been suggested Gillett had paid a £12million security owed to Ecclestone to keep the deal alive, but the Formula One supremo stated that was not the case.
Ecclestone added: "It's unfortunate for them.
"It was the credit crunch that caused them to be in trouble - because their intentions were good, that's for sure."
Simon Gillett, chief executive of Donington Ventures Leisure Ltd who lease the track from the owning Wheatcroft family, had signed a 17-year deal with Ecclestone.
But Gillett's plans to raise the £135million required to redevelop the circuit hit the rocks as banks shied away at a time when the global credit crisis was at its worst.
"It's bad for Tom (Wheatcroft), because he's been an old friend for a long time," added Ecclestone, who turned 79 this week.
As far as Ecclestone is concerned, the ball is now in Silverstone's court to agree a deal they shied away from 18 months ago - and which resulted in Gillett poaching the race from their grasp.
Silverstone Holdings stalled then, not because of the £12million annual asking price to host the race but because of a seven per cent yearly increase clause.
Ecclestone added: "We're talking. A deal can be done if they want to."
Asked if there was a difference of opinion over the details, he said: "There isn't actually.
"As far as I'm concerned, no problems."
Standing in the middle of the world's most expensive circuit, as the LED panels on the five-star hotel that straddles it glowed a variety of colours behind him, Ecclestone could not help but smile.
"It's a bit like Silverstone really when you think about it!" he joked.
In more serious tones, he added: "What they've done is unbelievable.
"It was in April 2006 I saw and spoke to the crown prince, and at that time we didn't start to discuss a race.
"But during dinner we came up with the idea that maybe we should have a race here, and what they've done is magic.
"I never thought it would be finished like this. I thought bits and pieces would be done. I said to them 'I hope we're not going to be racing on a building site'.
"But no one is going to top this ... although I'll be happy if someone does the same."
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has spoken to Ecclestone about the British Grand Prix, stressing the significance of the race, and was assured by the Formula One supremo he was doing "everything possible'' to retain the race in the calendar.
Lord Mandelson said: "I phoned Bernie Ecclestone this afternoon and I stressed to him the importance of Formula One and the British Grand Prix to the UK.
"This is a very British institution and every effort must be made to keep the race in the UK.
"Losing it would be a body blow to UK sport, the teams, and the fans.
"Bernie reassured me he was doing everything possible to maintain the British Grand Prix in the UK.''
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Donington loses British GP
Sutil and Trulli continue war of words
Adrian Sutil and Jarno Trulli traded insults on Thursday as they continued a war of words sparked by their first-lap crash in Brazil.
Eleven days ago Toyota driver Trulli and Force India's Sutil came close to blows after a collision that forced from both out of the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos.
Attempting to pass Sutil around the outside, Trulli put a wheel on the grass, sending him spinning into the back of the German's car and then into a wall.
The impact resulted in Sutil careering across the infield grass and his momentum taking him back onto the track where he was struck for a second time, on this occasion by Fernando Alonso.
An outraged Trulli leapt out of his car and ran over to confront a stunned Sutil, gesticulating furiously and clearly accusing him of causing the accident.
The exchange resulted in the 35-year-old Italian being fined £6,000 for what the FIA described as "aggressively confronting" Sutil.
In Thursday's main FIA press conference ahead of Sunday's inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, when asked if they had settled their differences, the row erupted again.
Here is the transcript of their exchange which will likely spill over into Friday's customary drivers' briefing.
Trulli: "Obviously it was very disappointing to end the race like that, especially on the first lap.
"I had every reason to be extremely furious. I've got all the evidence to show I was there and was next to him, and tomorrow we are going to discuss it."
Sutil: "There's nothing to discuss, it was quite an obvious incident.
"In the end it was very disappointing for me, even more because I was the one who was driving, and he lost control of his car and crashed into my back.
"It's not my problem. It's his problem. I don't know why he's freaking out like that to be honest."
Trulli: "I don't know if you're blind, but I can clearly show you my front wing is next to your front wing."
(Trulli then produced photographs to support his argument)
Sutil: "But you're trying to overtake me around the outside on the kerb. There was not a problem. You were off the power.
"The same happened in Barcelona where you lost control again and crashed again into a Force India car (Sutil).
"You have to sometimes respect the limits of the car. If you've nowhere to go, you have to back off. That's how racing is. I don't know how long you need to learn this."
Trulli: "In Barcelona I spun and he hit me because he cut the kerb, cut the circuit completely, and he didn't slow down."
Sutil: "I didn't hit you. You hit me. I don't know what is your problem. I really don't understand."
Asked what was said during their spat immediately after the accident, Trulli replied: "I was furious because he didn't see me.
"I was next to him and he kept on pushing me on the outside until I was obviously on the kerb."
Then the row continued:
Sutil: "It's not a problem to be on the kerb. Where's the problem?"
Trulli (sarcastically): "Yeah, no problem! As long as we know the rules."
Sutil: "I know the rules."
The verbal confrontation resulted in Alonso being asked for his opinion as he had a clear view of the incident prior to hitting Sutil.
With a smile, Alonso said: "I saw everything more or less, but as Jarno said we will discuss it in the drivers' briefing - deeply!"
Rosberg confirms Williams exit
Nico Rosberg has confirmed he will leave Williams following this season's final race of the Formula One season in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Speculation has been rife for the last two months that Rosberg was to end his four-year association with the Grove-based team.
Although the 24-year-old refused to divulge which team he will race with next year, it has been an open secret he will move to Brawn GP as new world champion Jenson Button's team-mate.
It is understood Rubens Barrichello will then switch to Williams on a one-year contract.
"This is my last race for Williams," revealed Rosberg.
"It's a bit strange because for four years it has been the only team I've worked with, so it's been a long time.
"I get on really well with everybody, a lot of respect has built up with all the mechanics, so it is going to be quite strange to leave.
"I can only use the opportunity to really thank the team because it has been very good for my career.
"Sir Frank, Adam Parr, Sam Michael and Patrick Head have really supported my career all these years, so quite a big thank you to them."
Rosberg stopped short of naming Brawn as the team he will now sign for, adding: "I don't want to talk about my future.
"I just want to say I won't be with Williams because that's sure."
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Force India hope to finish well
The born-again Force India wants to sign off with some more points in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.
Force India chairman Vijay Mallya's assessment is the outfit has exceeded its own expectation in the second half of the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship but he is candid enough to admit that things could have been even better.
Naturally, Mallya said, the idea would be to add some more points to the kitty on Sunday.
"Brazil was a missed opportunity to score points. Adrian (Sutil) was in a prime position to get some decent points, perhaps even a podium, but it was not to be," Mallya rued.
"But the Abu Dhabi aero configuration is roughly similar to Brazil and Valencia, and even though we cannot expect rain, we can expect a reasonable level of performance in qualifying that should put us in a good position for the race," he said.
"We could technically move up a position in the championship as we're just 13 points behind Renault, but it will be tough so we need to consolidate what we have already.
"Toro Rosso have been looking very strong in recent races so it's a matter of personal pride to keep them behind. Ninth place in the championship is one position higher than last year and we need that improvement to validate all the progress we've made this year," he added.
Looking back, Mallya said the second half of the season began on a promising note but the team could not make the most of it.
"I would say this year has even exceeded our expectations as we have secured a podium, pole and fastest lap. We can be really proud of this. All the same we have had opportunities we haven't been able to make the most of, for example Interlagos, Suzuka and Monza.
"This slightly mutes the satisfaction, but it does give a lot of cause for optimism - if we can get into a similar position next year and follow through all the chances we could be solid midfield in both championships," added Mallya, also the team principal.
Sutil was equally upset, having failed to score points in Brazil despite starting third on the grid.
"I was hoping a lot for that, so it's disappointing. We have to take that and carry it to the next race. Whether we can repeat in Abu Dhabi we will have to see, but it's a relatively low downforce track and we have performed well in these conditions before so I am optimistic," he said.
Teammate Vitantonio Liuzzi, who was promoted to the race seat after Giancarlo Fisichella switched to Ferrari, said he was looking to score his maiden points for the side on Sunday.
"I'll keep pushing until the end and am still optimistic of scoring my first points for Force India in Abu Dhabi," added the Italian.
Alonso gears up for emotional exit
Fernando Alonso is steeling himself for an emotional farewell to Renault this weekend.
Alonso faces his last grand prix with the team ahead of his big-money move to Ferrari, ending a two-year association.
It is the second time the Spaniard will be saying his goodbyes as he faced a similar situation in 2006 after winning back-to-back world titles with Renault prior to his ill-fated move to McLaren.
Ahead of the season-ending inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Alonso said: "I would love to finish the season and my Renault career with a great result.
"It will be an emotional race because I have enjoyed so many special memories with this team, and I am leaving behind a lot of friends.
"Renault is one of the great teams in Formula One, and I look forward to fighting with them on the track in the years ahead."
Paying tribute to Alonso, team principal Bob Bell remarked: "He's made a huge contribution to the team, especially winning two world championships in 2005 and 2006 so he will be missed enormously.
"It's often said he is the best driver on the grid, and I wouldn't disagree with that, so we're understandably sad to see the end of our very successful relationship.
"But we're also looking forward and we're all delighted to be welcoming Robert Kubica to the team as I believe he will quickly show that he is of the same calibre as Fernando.
"He's a strong team player, a great motivator and incredibly quick, so we have plenty to look forward to as we enter a new era for the team."
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Trulli fined for violent reaction
Jarno Trulli has been fined £6,000 for aggressively confronting Adrian Sutil in Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix.
Toyota driver Trulli and Force India's Sutil almost came to blows after a first-lap collision that resulted in their retirement.
Attempting to pass Sutil around the outside at one point of the Interlagos track, Trulli put a wheel onto the grass which sent him spinning into the back of the German's car.
As veteran Trulli struck a wall, Sutil went careering across the infield grass, his momentum taking him back onto the track where he was struck for a second time, on this occasion by Fernando Alonso.
Renault's double world champion was also forced out of the race, and as he clambered out of his car in the background, Trulli angrily confronted Sutil in the foreground.
Trulli was seen furiously gesticulating at Sutil as it was clear the Italian was accusing him of causing the accident.
However, after an investigation the stewards decided it was a racing incident requiring no further action.
Instead, the stewards reprimanded Trulli and hit him in the pocket as they determined he failed to leave the track as required by the marshals, and for his inappropriate actions towards Sutil.
McLaren were also fined £30,000 for another of the day's dramatic moments when Heikki Kovalainen left the pits with the fuel hose still attached to his car.
It came at the end of the first lap as both he and fellow Finn Kimi Raikkonen had sustained damage to their cars in separate incidents.
Kovalainen immediately pulled in front of Raikkonen, spraying fuel onto the 2007 world champion's Ferrari directly behind him, causing a flash fire.
Raikkonen came through it unharmed, whilst Kovalainen pulled over outside the Brawn garage where that team's mechanics courteously removed the offending hose.
The stewards ruled it was an unsafe release from the pits and imposed the fine on McLaren as well as adding 25 seconds to Kovalainen's race time, resulting in him dropping from ninth to 12th.
Button takes title in Brazil
Jenson Button finally has his hands on the Formula One world title following a pulsating Brazilian Grand Prix.
A combination of brilliant driving and dramatic incidents elevated Button into fifth place, with his title rivals Sebastian Vettel and Rubens Barrichello finishing fourth and eighth respectively.
Button now becomes the 10th British driver to claim motor sport's greatest prize, inheriting the crown from last year's winner Lewis Hamilton.
The 29-year-old may not have wrapped it up in the way he would have liked, having won six of the first seven races, but he is now world champion.
On a stunning day for Brawn GP, they also claimed the constructors' title just over 10 months after they appeared to be on the scrapheap when Honda pulled out of the sport.
As Button crossed the line after 71 remarkable laps at Interlagos he broke into a rendition of Queen's 'We Are The Champions,' before repeating the boast 'We're champions, we're champions.'
A euphoric Button told BBC1: "It's really amazing, especially after the last few races I've had. This makes up for it, it was such an awesome race and I'm world champion, baby!
"Twenty-one years ago I jumped in a car and I loved winning. I never expected to be world champion in F1 but we've done it today."
Red Bull's Mark Webber grabbed the win ahead of BMW Sauber's Kubica, the Australian ending a run of five successive races without scoring a point.
Hamilton was a stunning third from 17th on the grid, with Vettel fourth, Button fifth, Kimi Raikkonen sixth in his Ferrari and Sebastien Buemi a fine seventh for Toro Rosso.
It was a stunningly dramatic start to the race as Toyota's Jarno Trulli and Adrian Sutil of Force India almost came to blows after a first-lap collision that them sent both crashing into retirement.
Attempting to pass Sutil around the outside, Trulli put a wheel onto the grass which sent him spinning into the back of the German's car.
As Trulli struck a wall, Sutil went careering across the infield, his momentum taking him back onto the track where he was struck for a second time, on this occasion by Renault's Fernando Alonso, who was also forced out of the race.
Trulli angrily confronted Sutil but Sutil said: "I think it was quite obvious he was on the outside and he lost control of his car and crashed into me.
"It was very strange he came to me and blamed me for the incident because he just crashed into me."
The accident brought out the safety car at the end of the first lap which culminated in more drama in the pit lane.
Heikki Kovalainen had been caught up in an incident with Ferrari's Giancarlo Fisichella at the back of the field as they made their way through the initial Senna S.
Fellow Finn and 2007 world champion Raikkonen, starting from fifth on the grid, had also had his problems as he had sustained a broken front wing and left-rear puncture in a separate issue.
With both forced into the pits, Kovalainen exited with the fuel hose still attached to his car and as he made his way down the pit lane, the stray hose sprayed fuel onto Raikkonen's car directly behind him, causing a flash fire.
Raikkonen came through it unharmed, whilst Kovalainen pulled over outside the Brawn garage where the mechanics removed the hose.
In all the mayhem, Button had moved up from 14th to ninth by the end of a first lap led by Barrichello, who had made a clean getaway from pole.
The 29-year-old put in a charge, swiftly passing Renault's Romain Grosjean and Williams' Kazuki Nakajima, who later suffered his own drama on lap 31.
In attempting to pass Kamui Kobayashi, Nakajima hit the left rear tyre of the Toyota debutant.
Nakajima was fortunate his car was not propelled into the air as it momentarily reared up before crashing back down.
He then hit a barrier before powering on across the grass, gravel and the track before slamming into a tyre wall.
In between, Barrichello lost his lead in the first round of pit stops, actually dropping to third behind Webber and Kubica.
And from that moment it all went wrong, in contrast to Button as the race and the title came to him.
He pulled off another great manoeuvre on Buemi at one stage and the championship was ultimately in the bag when Barrichello pitted late on for a third time due to a slow puncture.
From that moment it was a cruise to the line for Button, who was ecstatic after emerging from his car.
Barrichello was the first to congratulate his team-mate as they gave each other a bear hug and slaps on the back.
Emotional team boss Ross Brawn broke down in tears after the race, barely able to comprehend the size of his achievement.
A choked Brawn said: "It's still got to sink in.
"It will take a while... It's just special. Very special.
"The work the team did over the winter....all the people who couldn't be with us because we had to re-size the team after the winter, my thanks go to them.
"I hope they have enjoyed it because they have been part of what we've done."
Hamilton graciously acknowledged Button's achievement as he said: "I must say congratulations to Jenson. A great job. A great season."
Webber, even after the second victory of his career, offered his congratulations to Button.
"Jenson deserves the championship," said the Australian.
"He certainly drove well in the early part of the season. He's done a good job so I'd like to congratulate him and Brawn.
"He can sleep better now because he's been absolutely bricking it after the last few races. He can enjoy Abu Dhabi (the final grand prix on November 1)."
Button added on BBC1: "The last few races have been a bit stressful for me. I didn't win the race today but I came through.
"It's the most amazing day and I thank the fans for their support, and most of all a big thank you to my family and my girlfriend Jessica."
He added: "Yesterday after qualifying I felt sick because of how tough it was but it made it all better today."
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Force India hope to do well in Brazil
Force India chairman Vijay Mallya said the resurgent outfit would be giving it everything in Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix.
Mallya did not hide his disappointment at the team's failure to get into points in the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, where the track suited them. With Interlagos too being a low-to-medium downforce track, Mallya hopes to add to its World Championship points' total.
"We will be giving it everything we have," Mallya, also the team principal, said.
"Brazil should suit us, our car has performed well on tracks with a similar configuration, and now we've got the taste for points, we want to get some more. BMW are 11 points ahead of us in the constructors' championship so if Tonio and Adrian push hard we could at least close that gap.
"It's going to be difficult but we have everything to gain and nothing to lose by making this our aim," he added.
"We had high hopes for the Japanese Grand Prix. To a certain extent we got there as we qualified well, ran towards the front of the field and raced with larger teams. However, of course we missed out on points again so ultimately it was frustrating we could not capitalise on this," Mallya said.
"Based on this form I am however very optimistic we can make up ground in Brazil. Adrian and Tonio both know the track and the car is at its peak so I'm confident we should again be Q2 or higher and again racing for the points," Mallya said.
Sutil too described his Japan outing as a "missed opportunity" but sounded confident of Sunday's race.
"Interlagos is a great track, not that long, but with a lot of camber and undulation that makes it a bit like a rollercoaster - particularly with the bumps. There's a twisty section and then that long, uphill straight that needs a set-up somewhere between Spain and Belgium so there's a chance we could perform well there. I'm feeling confident about going well there," he said.
Liuzzi too shared his enthusiasm and said, "I like the circuit and I've been pretty fast there in the past so with the combination of this confidence and the car performance I think we could be really competitive. I'm looking forward to being in a strong position."
Williams end Toyota deal
The Williams Formula One team have announced their engine supply deal with Japanese manufacturer Toyota will end at the conclusion of the 2009 season.
The announcement, which had been expected for several weeks, leaves the Grove-based team free to name its engine supplier for the 2010 season, with both Renault and Cosworth having been linked as a possible replacement for Toyota.
Williams team boss Frank Williams said: "At a time of great difficulty for us as a team, Toyota stepped forward and agreed to supply us with engines for 2007 through to the end of 2009.
"Toyota has been a very decent partner who have always respected our independence and provided us with a first-rate technical product. We are proud that we have been able to work with such a great company and we are grateful to the team in Cologne for their support.
"I would like to single out for our thanks the Toyota engineers and technicians who have worked within our race team tirelessly for the past three years."
Toyota motorsport boss Tadashi Yamashina said: "We have enjoyed a productive working relationship with Williams and I believe both companies have benefited from that partnership. We respect the wishes of Williams to look for other opportunities and wish them well for the future."
One man who could benefit from the new engine deal at Williams is current Brawn GP driver Rubens Barrichello.
The Brazilian has revealed he has had talks with Williams over moving to the Oxfordshire outfit next season.
The 37-year-old trails championship leader and Brawn team-mate Jenson Button by 14 points in the standings ahead of his home race at Interlagos this weekend.
Barrichello, in quotes reported by The Guardian, said: "I haven't signed with anybody yet. But it's true that I'm talking with Williams and Brawn."
Barrichello, who made his F1 debut in 1993, is the most experienced driver in grand prix history having started 286 races.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Massa completes Ferrari F1 test
Felipe Massa has tested in a Formula 1 car for the first time since suffering a fractured skull, but Ferrari say he will not return to competition in 2009.
Massa is making good progress since his crash in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix in July and the 28-year-old tested in an F2007 in Italy on Monday.
But Ferrari say they "want to proceed gradually" and do not intend to rush the Brazilian before he is ready.
"Talk of a proper return to F1 can wait until the start of 2010," they added.
Massa underwent neurological tests in Paris on Friday.
According to Ferrari, the outcome was "rather positive", prompting the decision to allow him to get behind the wheel of a privately-owned F2007 on Monday.
In-season testing is banned in F1, but the sport's governing body the FIA gave Massa permission to test using GP2 tyres at Ferrari's test track at Fiorano, as part of his rehabilitation.
But Ferrari insist there is no chance of a comeback in 2009, with only two races of the campaign remaining.
Hamilton: No pressure on McLaren
Having endured a nail-biting outing last year, McLaren are looking forward to racing in Brazil without any pressure.
Lewis Hamilton captured the driver's title at the season-ending Interlagos last year, and while there are still two races remaining in this year's season the McLaren star cannot defend his title.
With only pride on the line the Briton admits he's looking to have a bit more fun in Brazil than he has had in the past, with the energetic crowd something he's looking forward to.
"I'm really looking forward to this year's Brazilian Grand Prix - it will be the first time I've travelled to Sao Paulo without being in contention for the World Championship, and I'm actually looking forward to taking in a bit more of the city and relaxing and enjoying the experience of driving on one of the world's greatest racetracks," said Hamilton.
"One of the greatest things about racing at Interlagos is the crowd. There's such a great atmosphere; the fans have so much energy and life. It's a party while you're working, and it's great to see everyone happy."
Team principal Martin Whitmarsh echoed the thoughts of his driver but insisted the team would not be resting on their laurels despite being out of the title race.
"Travelling to Sao Paulo this year with our focus solely on achieving the very best result will allow us to attack the race weekend without any additional considerations, and we are very much looking forward to that challenge," explained Whitmarsh.
For his part Mercedes-Benz Motorsport vice-president Norbert Haug insisted the race for the Championship title was far from over with Jenson Button only 14 points ahead of his Brawn teammate Rubens Barrichello and 16 points ahead of Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel.
"The world championship fight is open and electrifying - I know from my own experience what I am talking about when I say that with a 16-point deficit of Sebastian to Jenson, nothing has been decided yet," said Haug.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Trulli all set for Toyota exit
Toyota F1 president John Howett has dropped another hint that Jarno Trulli's days at the team are numbered.
Trulli joined Toyota in 2005, however, almost five full seasons down the line and he has yet to win a grand prix.
And with Toyota's F1 future on the line, the team is desperate to produce the results that will convince company bosses in Japan to carry on in the sport.
But should Toyota continue, which Howett believes they will, it does not appear as if Trulli is part of their future plans.
"You have to look over five years," said Howett. "I don't wish to be tough but we had a more competitive position leading the start of Spa, and we didn't deliver.
"So I think you have to respect the fact - and I am not trying to knock Jarno, because he is a great person and what he does for the earthquake victims... there are so many strong qualities.
"But still unfortunately as a team this sport is intensely competitive and we have to find the best opportunity to win."
The Italian, though, did finish on the podium at the previous race in Japan, a feat that Howett admits will help secure Toyota's future at least.
"It always helps, doesn't it? But I can't say that it is really the fundamental issue," he added.
"I think it is still all down to Toyota's overall profit and loss situation and the image of Formula 1 and whether we can get away from the rather sordid side that we've had recently to a much more dynamic future looking at all the great things that this sport really has.
"Talking to my colleagues, it's a similar problem everywhere. That's the biggest challenge we face."
Friday, October 9, 2009
Chequered flag honour for Massa
Felipe Massa will be in Brazil for his home grand prix on October 18 - as a special guest to wave the chequered flag.
Massa is currently on the road to recovery after requiring life-saving surgery towards the end of July following his accident in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.
After completing two days in the Ferrari simulator this week, the 28-year-old is scheduled to drive a 2007-spec car on Monday after undergoing a medical check-up in Paris tomorrow, with the FIA in attendance.
Massa, who has not ruled out the prospect of driving in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 1, will then return to Brazil for the penultimate round on the calendar.
Massa will become the third celebrity to wave the chequered flag at Interlagos in the past eight years, following in the footsteps of Pele and model Gisele Bundchen.
Hopefully, Massa will at least have his eyes on the conclusion of what could be the title decider, unlike Pele, who famously failed to carry out his duty.
The world's most famous footballer was looking the other way when Michael Schumacher beat his brother Ralf by half a second in 2002.
Massa unlikely to return this year
Recovering Ferrari driver Felipe Massa says his chances of making a return to action this season are "very, very low".
The Brazilian has been sidelined since fracturing his skull in an incident in qualifying for July's Hungarian Grand Prix but had hoped to be fit to take part in the season finale in Abu Dhabi on November 1.
It now appears he and his bosses at Maranello have elected to err on the side of caution, meaning understudy Giancarlo Fisichella will remain at the wheel of Massa's F60 for the remainder of the campaign.
"I hope I'll be back soon but I also know the best thing is that I'm coming back 100% at the start of the next season," Massa told Ferrari's official website.
"My dream would be to race in Abu Dhabi. But the possibility is really, really low."
After completing two days in the Ferrari simulator this week, the 28-year-old is scheduled to drive a 2007-spec car on Monday - after undergoing a medical check-up in Paris later today, with the FIA in attendance.
Although in-season testing is banned, Massa has been granted permission to drive the two-year-old Ferrari, fitted with GP2 tyres.
"I'll go to Paris for some medical check-ups at the FIA and on Monday, if the weather is fine, I should finally be behind the wheel of a Formula 1 single-seater," he said.
"I hope I can do many miles and do well, not only in terms of performance but also as far as constant lap times are concerned.
"I'm confident and I think there won't be any problems. It's true that a Formula One vibrates a lot and there is lots of physical stress, but I'm used to it."
Following Monday's test Massa will turn his attentions to building his sharpness for the start of the 2010 season, when with a new car and new team-mate in Fernando Alonso he will be bidding to capture his maiden world title.
"I'm sure that with Alonso we'll form a great team and we'll work together very well. The goal will be very simple - winning," Massa added.
"I saw the model of the new car in the wind tunnel - it's different from the actual one, also because there will be new rules. Let's hope it will be fast."
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Kubica rides in at Renault
Robert Kubica is convinced he can fight for next year's Formula One world title after agreeing to join Renault from 2010.
Kubica will replace Fernando Alonso at the team after the recent confirmation of the double world champion's switch to Ferrari.
The 24-year-old Pole, who has spent the last three and a half years at BMW Sauber, has been forced to find a new team given the German manufacturing giant are pulling out of F1 at the end of this year.
Although Renault have struggled since their title triumphs of 2005 and 2006, even with Alonso back at the wheel these past two years, Kubica is confident they can again be a force.
"I'm very happy I will be joining Renault in the 2010 season," said Kubica.
"I feel I have a special connection with this team because in 2005 I won the World Series by Renault.
"This gave me the chance to test with the team in Barcelona, which led to my debut in Formula One.
"I share with Renault a strong winning mentality and feel comfortable with their friendly and open attitude.
"I'm highly motivated and optimistic that together we can be at the front of the grid next year, and hopefully fighting for the world title."
Kubica pushed Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa for last year's world title, winning his only race of 55 grands prix to date in Canada.
Kubica, though, has failed to recapture such form this year due to the team failing to provide him with a competitive car, collecting just nine points from 15 races.
But with Alonso's departure, Renault now have a strong replacement as recognised by team principal Bob Bell.
"We are very excited to have signed Robert," said Bell.
"Ever since Robert made his grand prix debut in 2006, he has been on our radar as one of the most naturally talented drivers of his generation.
"He has delivered on that promise so it's great to have secured him in one of our cars next season.
"Renault has high ambitions and hopes for the future of the team and we feel Robert can play a big role in fulfilling them."
Monday, September 7, 2009
Liuzzi takes Fisichella spot
Force India have confirmed Vitantonio Liuzzi has replaced Giancarlo Fisichella for the remainder of the season.
Liuzzi has been promoted from his role as test and reserve driver with the team, a position he has held since the start of 2008.
The 28-year-old will now make his race debut with Force India in front of his own fans at this weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
Liuzzi, who last drove in Formula One at the end of the 2007 season with Toro Rosso, appreciates he has been given his chance courtesy of the chain reaction sparked by Felipe Massa's accident
"I can't wait to get back into the car in race trim, particularly at my home grand prix in Monza," said Liuzzi, who competed in 39 grands prix over three seasons from 2005 to 2007.
"I really appreciate the opportunity Vijay (Mallya) has given me, particularly now Force India has a great car that's performing very well.
"I am confident I can carry on our progress. I'm very motivated, in good shape and hungry to get some more points on the board.
"Although it's unfortunate this came about as a direct result of Felipe's accident, this is my opportunity to show people what I can do, and I'm really looking forward to it."
Team owner Vijay Mallya, who released Fisichella to Ferrari last week, is confident Liuzzi will not let down the team.
"I'm delighted to give Tonio the opportunity to get back into a race seat, which I know he has been itching to do for the past two years," said Mallya.
"Force India is now in a very competitive position and we need a driver who can continue this momentum.
"This will be the chance for Tonio to demonstrate to both the team and the field he has the commitment, speed and professionalism to perform, and I am sure he will seize this opportunity."
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Renault could be severely punished
Renault could be thrown out of the Formula One world championship if found guilty of causing a crash at the Singapore Grand Prix.
The crash helped Fernando Alonso win last year's inaugural night race.
Just five days after details emerged of the incidents that unfolded in the sport's historic first night race last September, the FIA will now sit in judgment on Renault.
An extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council will take place in Paris on Monday, September 21, with Renault facing charges of being in breach of Article 151c of the International Sporting Code.
Article 151c relates to 'any fraudulent conduct or act prejudicial to the interests of any competition, or to the interests of motor sport generally'.
The charge is that "the team conspired with its driver, Nelson Piquet Jr, to cause a deliberate crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix with the aim of causing the deployment of the safety car to the advantage of its other driver, Fernando Alonso".
In this instance the FIA's powers are wide-ranging, as McLaren found to their cost in 2007 when they were fined £50million for being in breach of the same article in relation to the spygate saga.
Should Renault be punished, it is almost certain the penalty will be severe, especially as deliberately crashing a car puts the lives of not only the driver, but also marshals and spectators at risk.
Alonso would naturally be stripped of his victory, potentially even all his points from last season, which may result in Renault being forced to pay back all their prize money for 2008.
In addition, there is the real prospect of their exclusion from this year's championship, which in turn may ultimately lead to Renault's decision to withdraw from the sport altogether.
F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone sounded a warning this week there would be "a lot of trouble" if the allegations are found to be true.
Ecclestone also suggested Renault could follow Honda and BMW out of F1 due to the adverse publicity they are currently receiving.
Alonso certainly appeared fortunate in taking the chequered flag in Singapore as the double world champion had started from 15th on the grid.
Intriguingly, Renault had opted to fuel Alonso short for his first stint, a bizarre tactic when starting so far down and on a typical street track where it is notoriously difficult to pass.
Renault gambled on there being a safety car incident, and just two laps after Alonso made his first pit stop on lap 12, Piquet's crash turned the race on its head.
It brought the safety car into play, shaking up the field, with the Spaniard ultimately giving Renault their first win for two years at a time when it was strongly rumoured they were considering quitting the sport.
Piquet explained the incident away by claiming he was trying too hard, made a mistake and scraped one wall a little too closely.
Only recently Piquet was sacked by the team, with the suggestion it was he, or his father/manager Nelson Piquet snr, who blew the whistle, prompting an investigation, and now subsequent hearing.
Renault were last night refusing to make any comment, and confirmed they will not do so before attending the hearing.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Hamilton retains title dream
Lewis Hamilton is refusing to give up hope of retaining his Formula One title until the maths tell him otherwise.
Hamilton concedes it is a crazy proposition, but the very fact he is even thinking about the drivers' crown is testament to the great competitor he is.
At present, Hamilton trails championship leader Jenson Button by 45 points with just five races remaining, leaving the 24-year-old in a virtually impossible position.
"I know I've been very lucky," said Hamilton.
"For the past two seasons I've been in with a shot at the championship right until the end of the last race of the season, so obviously this year feels a bit different.
"But it's been fun to just push like crazy and try and get the maximum result from the car at each race, rather than looking at stringing together a more consistent title bid.
"It means we can keep attacking everywhere, and I think the last five races should be good for us for a lot of different reasons.
"I might have missed out at Spa (Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix), but I really want to win Monza (Italian GP on September 13) and see how competitive we'll be in the flyaways.
"The five remaining races are a great mix of circuits, and I'm looking forward to all of them.
"But I'll still be going for it, trying to get every single point I can.
"I know it sounds crazy, but I'm not going to put the title out of my mind until I know that it's mathematically impossible."
Hamilton certainly found himself in an unusual situation in Spa as it was only the third time in his F1 career he had retired from a race.
His first-lap accident, when he was broadsided by Jaime Alguersuari in his Toro Rosso after trying to avoid Romain Grosjean's collision with Button, resulted in a frustrated Hamilton watching from the sidelines.
"It was a really odd feeling to be stood at the side of the track watching the others come through behind the safety car," reflected Hamilton.
"To be honest, I can't remember the last time I failed to finish a race.
"The reliability of our car has been so phenomenal that it rarely happens, so it was definitely a feeling I couldn't really get used to.
"It was a pity because I love racing at Spa and was really looking forward to a strong, attacking afternoon.
"I hadn't had the best of starts and I'd lost a few places, but I was pretty confident we'd have the car beneath us to help us get back into the points."
It is why Hamilton is confident of a strong end to the season as he added: "We know we've taken huge steps with the car since the start of the summer.
"It's frustrating we didn't get to see our race pace at Spa, but we've a low-downforce package for Monza and some more upgrades ahead of Singapore, so I think we'll be in the hunt among the frontrunners.
"The most important thing is we keep learning from this year's car so we can make next year's into a winner."
Fisichella 'over the moon' with move
Giancarlo Fisichella realised a life-long dream by signing for Ferrari.
Fisichella has signed for Ferrari for the final five races of the Formula One season after being released from his current contract with Force India, and will be the team's reserve driver in 2010.
The 36-year-old replaces Luca Badoer after his torrid time in the European and Belgian Grands Prix in which he qualified at the back of the grid and was last of those that finished.
With Ferrari this week confirming Felipe Massa requires plastic surgery after his horror smash in Hungary and will not return until next season, the team desperately needed a more experienced driver as stand-in for the remainder of the year.
Following extensive discussions between the two teams over the last 24 hours, Force India owner Vijay Mallya reluctantly agreed to part with Fisichella.
It means the 36-year-old will become the first Italian to drive a Ferrari at the team's home race at Monza - the next round of the season on September 13 - since Ivan Capelli in 1992.
"I'm over the moon," said Fisichella. "I can still hardly believe the fact we are realising the dream of my life, and I want to thank Ferrari and its president, Luca di Montezemolo.
"I am also very grateful to Vijay for allowing me this opportunity to drive for Ferrari.
"It is true that it has always been an ambition to do this, and for Vijay to have allowed it to become a reality is very generous.
"I hope in turn I have helped Force India grow and be on the right path to achieve their own ambitions.
"They are now a very competitive team and I wish them all the very best."
It has been a remarkable week for the Roman in which he started from pole and finished second in Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix.
Now being able to look ahead to the final five races with Ferrari, Fisichella added: "I'll do my best to reward the team for the great opportunity I have been given.
"I know it will not be easy, but I will always try and get the best result possible."
Expressing his sympathies towards Badoer, who has spent the last 12 years with Ferrari, Fisichella said: "I want to say I feel sorry for Luca.
"I know how much he cared about racing a Ferrari at Monza because an Italian will always give his maximum to drive a red in front of our fans."
Explaining his decision to release Fisichella, Mallya said: "For any Italian driver, a Ferrari race seat is a long-held dream, and for Giancarlo it was no exception. No one should stand in the way of this."
Mallya dismissed speculation a deal for Fisichella had been agreed with Ferrari in return for money apparently still owed for engines used last season.
"We would like to stress we have not agreed any financial settlement with Ferrari," added Mallya.
"This agreement has been made in good faith and for the good of Giancarlo and the sport in general.
"A competitive Italian driver in a Ferrari for Monza is a positive story for Formula One, which can only help raise the sport's profile in these difficult times."
Mallya is convinced his team will continue to be strong for the remainder of the season, with reserve driver Vitantonio Liuzzi expected to replace Fisichella.
Mallya stated: "For Force India, this sport is a team effort and removing one part, even a major one, will not significantly affect our performance.
"The competitiveness of the team seen in Belgium was a result of hard work in the factory and wind tunnel, and we have further developments coming for the final races.
"So we are confident this momentum can be sustained. We are now looking forward to a strong finish to the season."
Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali is convinced Fisichella will play a significant role through to the end of the year.
"We have chosen Fisichella because we can expect him to make a valuable contribution in this final part of the season," said Domenicali.
"Giancarlo has shown, throughout his long career, that he is fast and competitive, and we are therefore proud to be able to run an Italian driver in our home race."
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
"No financial crisis in F1"
F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone said that F1 did have a brush with the recession but sponsors are coming back.
"I don't know about India but most of the world is in recession. Sponsorship was obviously a problem as a lot of big names were reconsidering but it is better now and sponsors are coming back," he said.
"There is no financial crisis now and there is no shortage of sponsors in Formula One," Ecclestone told PTI.
At the same time, he expressed eagerness to explore more corporate entities in India, the second fastest growing economy in the world, saying the more the better.
He was responding to a query on whether F1 would be looking beyond Vijay Mallya for sponsoring teams.
"When I come to India in October. I would meet with people and see what is the best way to move forward," he said.
The recession took a toll in this year's F1 with Honda pulling out and BMW announcing that they would not race from next year. Toyota is also uncertain to return to F1 circuit once the season ends.
In view of this, Formula One authorities had initially contemplated a cap on expenditure of all F1 teams, even though frontline teams like Ferrari and McLaren were against the move. But the proposal has temporarily been shelved.
F1 to focus on India, 2011 track
F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has said the foundation stone of the race track in India would be laid in October for the 2011 event.
Brushing aside government's stand that Formula One is not a sport, Ecclestone said it's been long time that they have signed the contract with the promoters in India and there was no question of the event being shelved despite the Indian government's refusal to give concessions.
Asked specifically whether the F1 race in India would go on, Ecclestone told PTI from London," It's been on for a long time. There's never been any doubt. The contract has been signed long time back."
Ecclestone, the President and CEO of Formula One Management, said that the foundation stone for the project in Greater Noida would be laid at the end of October.
"We are waiting for the circuit to be constructed. The foundation stone would be laid in late October. I will be in India to lay the foundation stone," he said.
Ecclestone made light of sports minister M S Gill's view that Formula One was not a sport.
"Everybody is entitled to their views. That's the good or the bad part of democracy. If the Sports Minister doesn't think it's a sport, I can't do much about it. That's his view.
"The rest of the world thinks it is a sport," Ecclestone said.
Motorsports administrators in the country have reacted sharply to the Sports Minister's views against Formula One with Force India co-owner Vijay Mallya questioning the basis of Gill's assessment for F1 being "expensive entertainment".
Gill had insisted that it was technology and not any sporting skill that determines the outcome of Formula One races.
The 2011 Indian Grand Prix has run into rough weather after the Sports Ministry denied JPSK Sports, promoter of the event in India, approval to the remittance of USD 36.5 million to Formula One Administration in UK.
Adamant Sports Ministry officials maintain Formula One does not have the social relevance of an Olympic sport and have refused to give their nod to the transaction, which comes under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (GEMMA) because it's not desirable.
On how he planned to make F1 popular in India, Ecclestone said he would try to meet people and see how it can be done when he visits the country in October.
"Let's see, when I come there in October. I would meet with people and see what is the best way to move forward," Ecclestone said.
Ecclestone, a former Formula One driver himself, was impressed with Force India's second-place finish at the Belgian Grand Prix last week.
"Force India should have won actually. They were unlucky.
"It's good to see Vijay's (Mallya) team doing well. He has done a good job for Force India," he said.
Asked if there were plans to have more night races, the first of which made its debut in Singapore last year, Ecclestone said a few more venues were being considered.
"We are looking at five other countries for night races," he said, without divulging the names of the countries.
On whether the sports was feeling the effects of global economic downturn, Ecclestone said things were looking up now after a few months of sponsorship problems.
"I don't know about India but most of the world is in recession. Sponsorship was obviously a problem as a lot of big names were reconsidering but it is better now and sponsors are coming back," he said.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Renault cleared to race in Valencia
Renault and Fernando Alonso have won an appeal against a one-race ban, clearing them to take part in Sunday's European Grand Prix.
The French team were punished after allowing Alonso to leave the pit lane with a loose wheel at last month's Hungarian Grand Prix.
The wheel came off and bounced across the track at the July 26 race, with race stewards subsequently ruling that the team's pit crew knew the wheel was not properly secured and failed to tell the driver.
Renault were hopeful the team's suspension would be lifted - and today motorsport's governing body the FIA overturned the ban and instead decided to fine the team just over £30,000.
A statement on the FIA's official website, www.fia.com, read: Renault admitted to the court that they breached the sporting regulations, in that they failed to ensure that (the) car complied with the conditions for safety throughout practice and the race, and that they released the car after a pit stop when it was unsafe to do so.
"However, it requested the court to reconsider the severity of the sanction imposed by the stewards.
"Having heard the arguments of the parties, the court have decided as follows:
1) To allow the appeal and overturn the sanction imposed by the Stewards in the contested decision.
2) To issue a reprimand and impose a fine of $50,000 (£30,600) upon Renault.
"The reasons for this decision will be published in a full judgment in the coming days."
With the ban overturned Alonso will now race at his home grand prix in Valencia, which is likely to prove highly popular with the Spanish crowd.
The incident happened the day after Felipe Massa was involved in an horrific incident which left him with life-threatening injuries.
The Ferrari driver needed surgery on his skull after being struck by an object dislodged from the Brawn GP car of Rubens Barrichello during qualifying at the Hungaroring.
The previous week, 18-year-old Formula Two driver Henry Surtees - the son of 1964 F1 champion John Surtees - died after being struck on the head by a wheel and tyre while travelling at 120mph at Brands Hatch
Renault drive chance for Grosjean
Renault have confirmed that Romain Grosjean will replace Nelson Piquet Jr at the European Grand Prix in Valencia.
Grosjean has also been chosen as the team's second driver for the remaining races of the season after Piquet Jr failed to pick up a point in 10 races.
"I'm very proud and looking forward to helping the team get the best results," said the 23-year-old Frenchman.
"Romain is an impressive young talent and we expect him to show his skills," said Renault team boss Flavio Briatore.
Grosjean will race alongside two-time world champion Fernando Alonso for Renault in Valencia at the weekend after getting the green light to replace Piquet Jr.
"It is an honour to be Fernando's team-mate and to make my Formula 1 debut alongside a double world champion is especially motivating," said Grosjean.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Schumacher sad at F1 abandonment
Seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher has spoken of his sadness at being forced to scrap his proposed comeback on medical grounds.
He had been set to deputise for Ferrari driver Felipe Massa after the Brazilian was hurt in a crash in Hungary but a neck injury thwarted the German's plan.
"No simulation can produce the demands an F1 car puts on the body, so we needed to test to find out," he said.
"We did everything in the most prepared way possible and it didn't work out."
Schumacher stunned the world of F1 when he announced he would return to fill in for Massa.Massa's accident occurred in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix after a spring from fellow Brazilian Rubens Barrichello's Brawn GP car hit his helmet.
Massa was travelling at more than 160mph when the spring hit him but pressure on the brakes reduced his speed to about 60mph when he hit the tyre wall.
He was initially seriously ill but he is recovering well and has flown home to Brazil.
The problem that scuppered Schumacher's return to the track three years after he retired was a neck problem sustained in a motorbike crash earlier this year.
The injury meant Schumacher was unable to withstand the intense strain experienced when driving an F1 car.
The 40-year-old said there was no way he could have prepared any better for a possible return because of the unforeseeable circumstances that had brought it about.
"Nobody knew we had this tragic accident from Felipe, so it wasn't planned at all," stated Schumacher.
"I don't think there was any other chance to do it any other way."
When asked if the injury ruled out any other possibility of a future comeback, Schumacher suggested it was not something he was considering at the moment.
"Speculation in this business is pretty natural and lots of people have opinions but the matter of fact is I'm very disappointed not to do what I was looking to do," he added.
"It's certainly not something I'm thinking about right now as I just had to take a very tough decision to say no to what I wanted to do - I don't feel like thinking too much about the future right now."
In the absence of Schumacher, Massa's place on the grid will be taken by Ferrari test driver Luca Badoer, 38, whose last competitive drive in F1 was 10 years ago.
But Schumacher is confident Badoer is up to the job.
"He has prepared himself quite strongly to be ready for all these years - this is his main job, to be ready for testing as well as in case something happened, so he's not been sitting quietly around waiting," said Schumacher.
"He works very hard since the accident of Felipe as I said I needed to confirm that I could do it [fill in for Massa], so it's normal for him to keep himself on the fitness level he would need.
"He has not been racing for a long time but a racer doesn't normally lose the racing spirit, so I wish him well for a difficult task."
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Alguersuari joins Toro Rosso team
Toro Rosso have announced that Jaime Alguersuari will drive for the team, taking the place of the sacked Sebastien Bourdais.
The Spaniard, 19, will become the youngest driver to take part in a Grand Prix when he races for the Italian outfit in Hungary this weekend.
The British Formula Three champion has been picked from Toro Rosso's young driver programme by boss Franz Tost.
Toro Rosso let French driver Bourdais go after two seasons with the team.
Bourdais scored six points in 27 grands prix for Toro Rosso, but is now threatening legal action against them for what he considers a 'breach in his contractual duties'.Reports say that five-time world rally champion Sebastian Loeb could drive for Toro Rosso in the last Formula 1 race of the season in Abu Dhabi.
Barcelona-born Alguersuari will join team-mate Sebastien Buemi, who until the Spaniard's arrival was the the only rookie driver racing in F1 this season.
"I am aware that I'm facing a very tough challenge, because coming into Formula 1 is never easy," said Alguersuari.
"Coming into Formula 1 in the middle of the season is even harder and doing so without any testing is really difficult.
"But already I feel I am getting great support from the team, who have quite a reputation for looking after rookie drivers."
Tost said Alguersuari was chosen to replace Bourdais because he was considered the "most mature" prospect in the young driver programme.
He added: "I do not expect anything from him for at least his first three races, during which he has to get used to the car, the team and to the F1 environment."
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Red Bull to change reserve driver
Red Bull and Toro Rosso are changing their reserve driver for the rest of the Formula 1 season.
Reigning British Formula 3 series champion Jaime Alguersuari replaces Brendon Hartley, who will continue racing in European F3.
Alguersuari, who is 19, will deputise if either team's first-choice drivers is unable to race.
The Spaniard's first race as reserve driver will be the German Grand Prix at the Nurburgring on 12 July. Red Bull will be keen to keep up their momentum from the most recent race, the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, where Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber finished first and second, helping the team consolidate second place in the constructors' championship.
Vettel and Webber lie third and fourth in the drivers' championship behind Brawn duo Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello, while Toro Rosso drivers Sebastian Buemi and Sebastien Bourdais are 14th and 16th respectively.
Ecclestone to consider Bulgaria
Bulgarian officials are to meet Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone next week to propose bringing F1 to the Balkan region.
The meeting is set to be held at the German Grand Prix from July 10 to 12, where it is expected the contents of an agreement for a future Bulgarian race will be discussed.
Bulgaria is hoping to stage its first F1 race in 2011, with a contract running through to 2015 including the option of an extension until 2020.
The Bulgarian Motorcycling Federation (BMF) announced in December it would put forward a bid to the FIA to land a grand prix.
Part of the plan would see a new circuit built near Pleven in northern Bulgaria, where a round of the World Rally Championship will take place in 2010.
In March, MotoGP's commercial rights holder, Dorna Sports, confirmed the series will arrive in Bulgaria from 2012 following a preliminary five-year agreement with the BMF, and the addition of F1 would make the country one of the leading players in international motorsport.
Grand prix organising committee chairman Rumen Petkov has admitted that the current state of the global economic climate will mean that Bulgaria's F1 bid is unlikely to receive financial support from the government.
However, he is confident of raising funds from other sources.
"Of course there are a variety of possibilities, but in the terms of the global and financial economic crisis, my opinion is that it is hard to believe that our state would be able to take the engagement," Petkov told Focus News.
"The key issue immediately after my return from the meeting with the president of Formula One Administration Bernie Ecclestone in Germany is to look for investors and chances for public-private partnership, because there is no doubt that the state is interested in such a prestigious and very profitable project."
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Fan support sugars pill for Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton believes there is "light at the end of the tunnel" after a British Grand Prix that left him humbled by the fans support.
The world champion was blown away by the reaction he received over the course of the weekend at Silverstone despite the season of woe he has endured in his McLaren.
Hamilton finished a career-low 16th, yet when he crossed the line at the end the fans gave him a rousing cheer, reciprocating their support with wheel-spin 'donuts' at Stowe and Copse on his slow- down lap.
When Hamilton then took to the stage at the post-race concert, the 20,000 fans in attendance again gave him another tumultuous roar.
Indeed, Hamilton appears more popular now with the British fans than he was when he was winning.
Acknowledging their acclaim, Hamilton said: "What an amazing end to the day.
"When I walked onto the stage, the fans' reaction was amazing - just overwhelming.
"Because we are not doing so well this year with our results, I was worried about letting the fans down.
"But honestly, I've been really humbled by the support from the fans at Silverstone this year.
"I thought they were incredible in 2007 and 2008, but this year was bigger and better than ever.
"I've never seen so much passion from a crowd at a grand prix, from people in the paddock, everyone cheering me on in the grandstands, and then the people afterwards at the post-race party.
"I think this year's race has been the best ever for the fans, and we really need to come back to Silverstone again."
As for the donuts, Hamilton added: "I'd had a great weekend and I wanted to entertain the fans. I hope they enjoyed it.
"It was only afterwards I realised that's not the sort of thing you see very often at the end of a grand prix.
"But I wanted to do it to say 'thank you' for continuing to support me and my team in our time of need. We will repay your loyalty - soon."
All the support in the world will not make Hamilton's car go any faster, although a significant upgrade is expected for the next race in Germany in three weeks' time.
If those improvements fail to work it will surely be time for the team to call it a day for this season and plough all their resources into next year's car.
Up until then, Hamilton remains hopeful of any kind of upturn in result at the Nurburgring, a second 'home' race for McLaren given the backing of engine partners Mercedes.
"It's still not going to be a night-and-day change that makes the difference, but I'm hoping that we can gain some advantage to help improve our results," added Hamilton.
"It would be great to give our second home crowd something to cheer and feel proud about, but we'll see.
"Places like Hungary, Valencia and Singapore should hopefully be stronger for us, and so there is light at the end of the tunnel for the end-of-season push.
"We need a competitive car before the end of the season so we can learn as much as we possibly can for next season."
Jenson Button stays positive
Jenson Button is convinced he can tame the Red Bulls following a disappointing British Grand Prix.
After winning six of the first seven races this year and opening up a 26-point cushion in the title race, many observers - Niki Lauda amongst them - felt Button had the crown in his pocket and he could switch his Brawn GP to cruise control for the rest of the season.
But in the space of a few dominant days at Silverstone, Sebastian Vettel has suggested it will not all be one-way traffic for Button, offering up hope the battle could yet stretch towards the wire.
Supreme in practice, sensational in qualifying and stunning in a race in which he also set the fastest lap, it was as close to perfect as Vettel will ever experience.
After starting the race 32 points behind Button, the 21-year-old now heads to his own home event in Germany at the Nurburgring in three weeks' time 25 adrift, and with a degree of momentum.
In finishing sixth, Button was naturally unhappy at failing to give a 120,000 sell-out crowd what they had come for, but was far from downbeat.
"I would love to have won the British Grand Prix, but it didn't happen," said Button.
"I would have liked a good result for the crowd, but also a good result for myself and the team.
"In the end, I've come away with three points and lost seven to Vettel, which is not great. It's disappointing.
"But then again I gained 10 points when he put his car in the wall in Monaco, so we could have come away with a worse result.
"Now I go to the Nurburgring positive, thinking we can take the fight to Red Bull.
"I know their package is good, but I'm not upset because I know it will turn around, and hopefully there."
Although it was Button's worst result of the season, it has merely underlined the fact the title scrap cannot be taken for granted.
"I lost three points to Rubens here," said Button of his team-mate Barrichello who finished ahead of the Briton for the first time this year.
"So I've a 23-point lead which is still quite a lot to be fair, and Rubens is driving the same car as me so I can try to keep him in check.
"But Vettel's the one where you don't really know where their (Red Bull) performance is going to be.
"So it's important for us to be fighting for wins. We can't settle for third or fourth place.
"There are challenges, and it shows, because I had a 32-point lead (over Vettel) coming here.
"You can never be comfortable enough to think you can just cruise home.
"They were very quick and I am sure they're going to be competitive at other races, but I just don't think they are going to have the advantage they had at Silverstone."
Button concedes to being enlivened by the fresh fight after having it all his own way for so long.
"It's exciting in a way for me, it's not easy," added the 29-year-old, who on Tuesday heads on holiday to Japan with model girlfriend Jessica Michibata.
"They (Red Bull) beat Rubens by 45 seconds at Silverstone, and me by 50, and there are lots of reasons why we weren't on the pace.
"One of which is that it was absolutely freezing so we couldn't get any heat into the tyres. The sun didn't come out until after the race - thanks British weather!
"They've also made a big improvement with the car. They've a lot of new parts which are obviously working for them.
"The circuit is high speed, probably not to our car's strength, and there is hardly any braking which is our strongest point.
"We're stronger than Red Bull on braking, but you never hit the pedal that hard at Silverstone, which is another reason why we couldn't get the tyre temperature.
"That's why we weren't competitive, so I'm not going away that disappointed."
Vettel romps to Silverstone win
Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel scored a crushing victory in the British Grand Prix as championship leader Jenson Button's Brawn struggled to sixth.
Vettel took advantage of his team-mate Mark Webber being caught behind Brawn's Rubens Barrichello to build a decisive lead in the first stint of the race.
Webber passed Barrichello at the first pit stops to complete a Red Bull one-two ahead of the Brawn driver in third.
Last year's winner Lewis Hamilton was 16th in a car he said had "no grip".
Felipe Massa's Ferrari was fourth after winning a battle with the Williams of Nico Rosberg. Behind Button, Toyota's Jarno Trulli and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen took the final points positions in seventh and eighth.The result leaves Button with a reduced but still substantial championship lead of 23 points over Barrichello, with Vettel two further points adrift and 3.5 ahead of Webber.
Button's advantage is still more than two clear victories but, with more than half the season still to go, he will be concerned by the startling pace shown by Red Bull, who introduced a major upgrade to their car and were in a league of their own throughout the weekend at Silverstone.
"It was a completely seamless race by both drivers and they completely dominated it," said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.
"We can really mount a championship challenge from here."
Brawn's potential was reduced by the low temperatures in Northamptonshire - both Button and Barrichello struggled to get their tyres up to the temperature at which they give their optimum grip.
That put the season's dominant team back into the battle with Williams, Toyota and Ferrari behind the leaders - a position from which they did well to finish third and sixth.Red Bull, by contrast, had looked strong favourites as soon as their updated RB5 car showed its pace in practice in Friday.
Vettel was on pole by more than half a second and he made the most of the fact that Webber, after a frustrating qualifying session, was stuck behind Barrichello on the grid and could not pass him in the opening laps.
The German rising star, 21, pulled away by about a second a lap over the first stint, and was nearly 20 seconds in front of Barrichello by the time the Brazilian became the first of the top three to stop on lap 19.
"It's never easy it's a long race - you have to stay focused and keep your eyes open all the time," said Vettel.
"The start was very important and in the first stint I tried to push as hard as I could and make a gap.
"That worked perfectly and I had a fantastic car. The tyres were fantastic as well. This was a step in the right direction."
Webber, who spent the first stint less than a second behind the Brawn, came in on the next lap, and made up enough time to exit the pits just ahead of Barrichello.
From that moment, a Red Bull one-two was locked on barring any unforeseen misfortune.
Barrichello found himself holding off the Williams of Nico Rosberg and Felipe Massa's Ferrari - a battle he won by staying out for a couple of extra laps before his final stop and rejoining with a comfortable advantage.
Massa jumped Rosberg at their final stops and in the closing laps they found themselves coming under increasing pressure from Button.
Brawn had decided to save a set of the quicker softer tyres until the final stint, when both Massa and Rosberg were on the harder and slower of the two tyre compounds teams are obliged to use in the race.
That meant Button was much faster than the Ferrari and Williams in the final few laps. The home crowd cheered him on, but although the Englishman closed in on them he was unable to pass.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Formula 1 is 'finished' - Alonso
Renault's two-time world champion Fernando Alonso believes Formula 1 is "finished" following the announcement of plans for a breakaway series.
On Thursday, eight of F1's major teams, including Renault, said they intended to establish a rival championship. "Formula 1 is finished. It will be a standard engine, small teams and no drivers - this is not the Formula 1 people want," the Spaniard said.
"The new series will be the new Formula 1."
The breakaway move is the latest chapter in the bitter row over budget cap proposals.
World motorsport boss Max Mosley wants to introduce a voluntary £40m budget cap to curtail a "financial arms race" among F1's teams.
But eight of them, under the umbrella of the F1 Teams Association (Fota), have strongly resisted Mosley's attempts to force this and other rule changes through.
Mosley's latest letter proposes a £86m budget cap for 2010, falling to £39m in 2011.
Ferrari, Toro Rosso and Red Bull have refused to race under the optional £40m cap originally proposed, with only Williams and Force India definitely on the starting grid next season.
Speaking before the teams issued their breakaway threat, Alonso said: "I hope they find a solution, but these are difficult times. It is a critical position for Formula 1.
"If we do not race in Formula 1 next year it changes many things. It won't be the same. We know we'll race, but it will be different."
Asked if he would drive in a different series next year if the worst case scenario does unfold and there is a split, Alonso replied: "Of course. I won't retire, I will drive for another championship.
"We want to compete with the best teams in the world, the maximum technology, we all want to compete with the best drivers.
Interest strong in breakaway series
McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh has revealed the FOTA has already received enquiries about joining the breakaway series.
FIA president Max Mosley may have described FOTA's announcement of a rebel championship as posturing and posing, but the eight teams concerned appear deadly serious.
Mosley is confident come the traditional season-opener in Australia next March, the rebels - including Ferrari - will be back on board.
First, though, a legal battle looms after the FIA yesterday issued proceedings against all eight teams, most notably singling out the Scuderia.
"The FIA's lawyers have now examined the FOTA threat to begin a breakaway series," read a statement from motor sport's world governing body.
"The actions of FOTA as a whole, and Ferrari in particular, amount to serious violations of law, including wilful interference with contractual relations, direct breaches of Ferrari's legal obligations and a grave violation of competition law.
"The FIA will be issuing legal proceedings without delay."
Sadly for a sport whose reputation has been severely tarnished by the feud of the last few weeks, the months ahead could turn into a long, potentially bloody battle.
Yet FOTA - Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, BMW Sauber, Toyota, Brawn GP, Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso - appear intent on severing all ties with the FIA, and if they succeed they are willing to bring other teams on board.
Lola this week surprisingly withdrew their prospective entry, and with the FIA putting on hold the publication of their final entry list for 2010 whilst they assert their legal rights, another high-profile candidate in Prodrive could follow suit.
Asked if eight teams could sustain a rebel series, and whether FOTA would welcome the likes of Lola and Prodrive, Whitmarsh replied: "I think eight will be enough.
"But we would welcome any new teams, or existing teams for that matter, and certainly there has been an expression of interest from some of the teams you mentioned.
"I think a lot of teams want to be racing against the Ferraris, Red Bulls, Brawns, and hopefully ourselves.
"Formula One has not done a good job in my view at developing a number of teams that compete, at developing a series the fans want, and there is a lot opportunity to do a better job, to have some fresh energy.
"Whilst inevitably there is some sadness in a day like yesterday, I think you have to be optimistic about the future.
"Sometimes out of these challenges are new eras, new opportunities, and we have to be positive.
"We've had quite a lot of interest from some other teams that want to be part of the new series, and we are going to do everything we can to encourage them to be a part of it.
"Just as FOTA has already demonstrated its assistance to retaining teams and assisting the independent teams, that has to be part of the ethos of any organisation."
Mosley, though, expressing a blase kind of attitude to the whole sorry saga, believes this latest threat of a breakaway will be resolved in the FIA's favour, just as it was in 2005.
"I am completely confident there will be only one Formula One next year," said Mosley.
"In the end people do what is in their best interests to do, and it's in the interests of the teams to be in the Formula One world championship.
"There is actually no fundamental, or even important issue stopping them taking part.
"It's all about personalities, power and who can grab what from whom, which is easy when nothing's at stake.
"But once we actually get to the first race and it's make your mind up time, they'll be there.
"The great traditional teams, and I include Ferrari in that, they need to be there, and they will be there for sure. It will get sorted out."