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."
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Fan support sugars pill for Hamilton
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."
Mallya sad over breakaway series
Force India chairman Vijay Mallya was saddened by the announcement of a breakaway series by the dissident Formula One teams.
However, he reiterated his team's commitment to the official FIA Formula One World Championship next year.
"We were always hoping there would be compromise between FOTA (Formula One Teams Association) and the FIA but last night I was notified by FOTA about their decision, which already seems to be heading towards a breakaway championship or series," Mallya said.
"We find this to be very sad and disappointing, particularly since the FIA World Championship and the Formula One brand has been developed into an invaluable property over many decades," he said.
"As of now, Force India is a confirmed entrant to the FIA 2010 Formula One World Championship and we wait to see the developments over the weekend. Until a clear direction has been identified, we do not wish to make any further comments," said Mallya, also the team principal.
Force India broke ranks and submitted an unconditional entry citing legal obligations and Mallya said he was disappointed after FOTA suspended the outfit despite being in the know of things.
F1 teams drop breakaway bombshell
Formula 1 has been thrown into chaos after eight of its major teams said they are now planning to set up a rival championship for the 2010 season.
The threat by members of the F1 Teams Association (Fota) intensifies their row with world motorsport boss Max Mosley over his budget cap proposals.
"The teams have declined to alter their original conditional entries to the 2010 F1 Championship," said the teams.
"We've no alternative than to commence preparation for a new championship."
Mosley was insistent on introducing a voluntary £40m budget cap for teams to curtail a "financial arms race" in F1.But Fota refused to agree to his conditions, prompting championship leader Brawn GP, Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, Toyota, BMW Sauber, Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso to take their drastic action.
They announced their decision following a four-hour meeting on Thursday night ahead of this weekend's British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
"Since the formation of Fota last September the teams have worked together and sought to engage the FIA and commercial rights holder (Bernie Ecclestone), to develop and improve the sport," read a Fota statement.
"Unprecedented worldwide financial turmoil has inevitably placed great challenges before the F1 community.
"Fota is proud that it has achieved the most substantial measures to reduce costs in the history of our sport.
"In particular, the manufacturer teams have provided assistance to the independent teams, a number of which would probably not be in the sport today without the Fota initiatives.
"The Fota teams have further agreed upon a substantial voluntary cost reduction that provides a sustainable model for the future.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Hamilton baffled by change of fortune
Lewis Hamilton admits even he does not entirely understand his dramatic change in fortune over the past twelve months.
But the McLaren driver insists he has not fallen out of love with Silverstone as he prepares to return to the scene of one of his greatest triumphs next weekend.
Hamilton got his tilt for the Formula One title back on track last season with a glorious victory that moved him back to the top of the drivers championship he would go on to win.
A year down the line, in the last British Grand Prix to held at the track before it is moved to Donnington Park, Hamilton would have been hoping for a repeat performance to bolster the defence of his crown.
Instead, his title has already been all but relinquished in a season where he has had to be content with scraps as fellow Briton Jenson Button takes the glory and the publicity.
Button will be looking to continue his relentless march to the 2009 championship with a seventh Grand Prix win of the season in his Brawn GP next Sunday, while Hamilton - in a vastly inferior McLaren - will simply be happy to get in the points places at all.
The turnaround has left many bewildered, not least Hamilton himself, but the 24-year-old is determined to enjoy the Silverstone send-off and retains the hope that he will be a contender again next season.
"I don't feel this year I've had more pressure than I've had before but it's definitely been a different situation," Hamilton said.
"If I had the opportunity to defend, I would be defending but clearly I haven't had the car to be able to do that.
"I think this year I have to just keep learning and enjoying the year, but hopefully next year we can go back for another win.
"I don't think people necessarily always understand what's going on in the sport, they don't understand why these things happen.
"I don't understand how we've come to where we are now but they (the media) have got a job to do, and you have to respect that, everyone has their own opinions.
"I love the Silverstone Grand Prix and its going to be a very special one because its the last Silverstone Grand Prix that we are going to have for some time.
"Being in my home country, being around my people, having the support - last year especially was incredible - and bringing the world championship back to the UK, it makes me very proud.
"It doesn't matter how young you are or how old you are, they're all there supporting and waving the British flag for myself and Jenson so I really hope they enjoy it and I'm looking forward to it too."
Massa: Time to try something different
Felipe Massa has dropped a broad hint another series is on the cards after criticising the "stupid fights" that have wrecked Formula One.
The sport, as we know it, is currently heading for the rocks unless a late compromise deal can be struck over the next few days between the FIA and the Formula One Teams' Association.
That is now growing increasingly unlikely after motor sport's world governing body today issued another damning statement against FOTA.
After yesterday claiming there was a disruptive element within FOTA seemingly intent on preventing an agreement being reached, the FIA has further criticised the group for the latest breakdown in talks.
Adopting an unusual hard-line approach these past two days, the FIA has placed the blame squarely on FOTA after a meeting yesterday in London designed to discuss the financial regulations ended in deadlock.
In conclusion, the FIA has made it clear the £40million budget cap is to go ahead unchanged, threatening the future of several teams.
Appreciably, frustration is growing amongst the drivers as they can do nothing but sit on the sidelines and look on as the row unfolds.
As Massa remarks, it is slowly drawing to a point where the current eight members of FOTA may be forced to go their own way.
"Whatever happens on the race track this weekend (at the British Grand Prix), the current political situation in the sport is bound to make the headlines again," said Massa.
"When I am driving the car I never think about it. I simply concentrate on my job of driving as quickly as possible.
"But outside the cockpit I think about these problems as they do affect me, as they relate to my future and the future of Formula One.
"We are all very concerned about the situation and I follow the developments closely as they affect my professional life, even if I can have no real influence over how the situation evolves.
"That's down to the people who govern the sport and those in charge of the teams.
"We need our sport to be in better shape, because over the past few months there have been some very stupid fights.
"Everyone needs to work hard to make the sport what it should be for the fans, the teams, the sponsors and the drivers. We don't need this fighting.
"The situation looks bad at the moment, but if agreement can be reached then it can have a healthy future.
"If not, then we need to look seriously at what is the best option.
"As the teams appear to be united, then maybe it is time to look at doing something different that could be better for the sport."
Five teams - McLaren, Renault, Toyota, BMW Sauber and Brawn GP - have until Friday to unconditionally sign up to the cap due to come into force from 2010.
A further three teams - Ferrari, Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso - were, against their wishes, entered unconditionally by the FIA on Friday, since when the trio have insisted they remain committed to FOTA.
If FOTA and the FIA are unable to reach any agreement over the next few days, the latter has confirmed more new entrants will be named to make up the 13-team, 26-car grid for next season.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
FOTA threatens to go public
FOTA is ready to go public and lift the lid on their grievances against the FIA as the battle of wills intensifies.
FOTA now have the full backing of the major manufacturers of Europe who yesterday concluded after a board meeting in Brussels that "the current governance system cannot continue", in effect calling for FIA president Max Mosley to go.
As expected, the FIA's announcement yesterday of the teams due to line up on the grid for 2010 failed to resolve any issues.
Instead, the FIA face a potential legal battle with Ferrari, Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso after handing the trio a full entry against their wishes.
However, in claiming the FIA issued an "erroneous statement", FOTA insist the entries of all its eight members were conditional.
Ferrari have made it clear they have no desire to compete in next year's championship until, in their own words, "the condition of its entry are satisfied."
Ferrari maintain Mosley has failed to meet those conditions and is "in violation of Ferrari's rights under a written agreement with the FIA."
As for McLaren, Renault, Toyota, BMW Sauber and Brawn GP, they have until next Friday to submit conditional entries or face the threat of this being their last season in F1.
FOTA are willing to "continue to act constructively on resolving differences with the FIA," but are prepared to blow the whistle on the whole sorry situation.
A strongly-worded statement read: "Regrettably FOTA is being forced to outline in detail our objections to the new arbitrary FIA proposals.
"We will release details of our concerns in the near future which will constructively explain why the FIA's proposals are bad for the future of Formula One, the jobs of those employed within the motor-racing industry and especially the millions of loyal fans who are dismayed and confused at the internal bickering within our sport."
FOTA's main gripe surrounds Mosley's governance, and the unilateral manner in which he announced a voluntary £40million budget cap for next season without consulting the teams.
This goes directly to the heart of Ferrari's case against the FIA as they claim that under a 2005 agreement with the governing body, they have a right of veto with regard to any new regulations.
In not consulting with Ferrari, Mosley invalidated that contract, and as such Ferrari should not have been given an entry.
Despite contractual agreements of their own, Red Bull Racing and Toro Rosso are firmly aligned with FOTA, who face another critical week if they and the FIA are to finally end this ongoing war.
However, FOTA have sought to bypass Mosley by calling on the World Motor Sport Council and FIA Senate to intervene in the bitter feud.
In a letter leaked to PA Sport, FOTA stated that they "respectfully seek the intervention of the World Council to facilitate solutions to the present situation."
In claiming the crisis has been "self generated", FOTA maintain a "wish to find a swift solution to the situation," before issuing a stark warning.
The letter adds: "In case this can not be done, they (the teams) will reluctantly have to seek alternative solutions which protect them.
"In a final attempt to resolve this crisis, further meetings are scheduled for the next seven days.
"We would urge your support to ensure the outcome of these meetings achieves a solution that allows long established competitors to continue in their sport within a framework of sound governance and stability that will ensure the future and sustainability of Formula One."
Despite the furore, three new teams in Sheffield-based Manor F1 Team, Spain's Campos Grand Prix and US F1 are on the grid, along with Williams and Force India who broke with FOTA by submitting unconditional entries.
Friday, June 12, 2009
FIA leaves door open for teams
The FIA has left the door open to five of the current Formula One teams to enter the sport for next year.
McLaren, Renault, Toyota, BMW Sauber and Brawn GP have been named on the entry list for 2010, albeit they now have a week to submit an unconditional entry.
Motor sport's world governing body has confirmed that Manor Grand Prix, Campos Grand Prix and Team US F1 are the three new teams on the grid from next season.
Ferrari have been given an entry, but that could now prompt a legal battle as they, along with the other seven members of the Formula One Teams' Association, initially submitted conditional entries.
Red Bull Racing and sister team Toro Rosso have also been handed an entry by the FIA, who will argue they and Ferrari are contractually obliged to be involved.
However, Ferrari have already argued the FIA invalidated a contract agreed in 2005 as president Max Mosley failed to keep his side of the deal by not consulting with the teams over the rule changes.
Williams and Force India have places on the 2010 grid, although that is no surprise as they opted to split from FOTA and submit conditional entries due to binding contracts of their own.
The battle with Ferrari could run throughout the summer, but as far as McLaren, Renault, Toyota, BMW Sauber and Brawn GP are concerned, they now have seven days to decide which way to go.
If they fail to submit a conditional entry, the FIA will return to the pool of potential new entrants as they are determined to have a 26-car grid in place for next year.
At present, further due diligence is currently taking place on the other possible entries should further positions become available.
It means the furore sparked by Mosley's desire to introduce a cost cap for next season will continue for another week at least.
In a bid to slash spending and introduce fresh blood into F1, the 69-year-old initially announced a voluntary £40million budget cap, prompting uproar amongst the current teams.
It would have established a two-tier F1, with the new teams working within the cap being allowed a degree of technical freedom, whilst for those outside they would have been forced to apply this year's rules.
Yet despite a number of discussions over the course of the past few weeks, some heated, and some with a willingness to compromise at times, no middle ground was ever found.
FOTA's unity was eventually split when Williams were the first to pull out citing the fact they were contractually tied to the FIA, and in particular, Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One Management.
Force India followed suit ahead of last weekend's Turkish Grand Prix, reducing the FOTA membership to just eight.
Led by Ferrari president and FOTA chairman Luca di Montezemolo, a threat of a breakaway series has been discussed.
However, the FIA's defiant stance is that Ferrari, along with Red Bull and Toro Rosso, have binding contracts that tie them to the sport.
Di Montezemolo is certain to continue to fight his team's cause, although Red Bull magnate Dietrich Mateschitz may waver given his close friendship with Mosley.
As for the other five, the clock has now started ticking, only this time there will be no second chance as they must accede to the FIA's demands otherwise they are out.
It means F1 faces the prospect next year of being without world champion Lewis Hamilton, and the man likely to succeed him this season in Jenson Button.
As the FIA noted in a statement: "These five teams have submitted conditional entries.
"The FIA has invited them to lift those conditions following further discussions to be concluded not later than close of business on Friday 19 June."
As expected, Ferrari have confirmed they have no intention of taking part in next year's world championship until, in their own words, "the conditions of its entry are satisfied."
A statement issued by Ferrari added: "Following publication of the list of entries for the 2010 Formula One World Championship, which includes Ferrari as an unconditional entrant, Ferrari wishes to state the following: Ferrari submitted on 29 May 2009 an entry to the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship which is subject to certain conditions.
"As of today, these conditions have not been met. Notwithstanding this and despite Ferrari's previous written notice to the FIA not to do so, the FIA has included Ferrari as an unconditional participant in next year's Formula One World Championship.
"For the avoidance of any doubt, Ferrari reaffirms that it shall not take part in the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship under the regulations adopted by the FIA in violation of Ferrari's rights under a written agreement with the FIA."
Red Bull Racing have followed Ferrari's lead by reaffirming their commitment to FOTA.
A team statement read: "Following the FIA's publication of the entry list for the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship, Red Bull Racing would like to make it clear its entry was submitted as a conditional entry, consistent with those of all other FOTA members.
"Red Bull Racing remains committed to FOTA and fully endorses all its principles."
FIA announces three new teams
The FIA has confirmed three new entrants will be on the grid for the 2010 season - Campos Grand Prix, Manor F1 Team and Team US F1.
Motor sport's world governing body received 15 applications who all underwent a stringent due diligence process to ensure they have the required level of funding, resources, experience and technical expertise to compete at the highest level.
All three teams will compete under the £40million cost cap imposed by FIA president Max Mosley, and have agreed an engine supply deal with Cosworth.
CAMPOS GRAND PRIX
Country: Spain
Team principal: Adrian Campos
The Campos Racing team was launched in 1998 by former Formula One driver Adrian Campos.
Since that time it has competed in various championships from GP2 to Euro F3, winning six drivers' championships and five team titles, including the current GP2 Series.
Campos Racing is running the Campos Grand Prix team in conjunction with Meta Image, a Madrid-based sports agency which specialises in event management, sponsorship acquisition, PR and marketing.
The Grand Prix team's headquarters are based in Madrid, which houses the marketing and administrative departments.
The technical centre is based at Campos Racing's current headquarters in Valencia, 25km from the Ricardo Tormo race track.
This facility currently manages design and development for the Campos Racing F3, Mexico A1GP and Barwa International GP2 teams.
MANOR F1 TEAM
Country: United Kingdom
Team principal: John Booth
The Manor name came into racing in 1990 when former single-seater champion John Booth decided to establish his own team.
Since that time, Manor's record of success includes some 171 race wins and 19 championship titles in series such as Formula Renault and Formula 3 Euroseries.
Manor is based in the UK across two sites, one in Sheffield and the other in Bicester.
Its technical innovation is characterised by the fact the race cars are designed, tested and refined entirely in the digital domain using the processes originally developed by Wirth Research Limited.
WRL is an engineering company, founded by Nick Wirth in 2003, which specialises in research, development and manufacturing in the high technology sector.
WRL's designs were successful in winning both the 2004 and 2005 Indy Racing League championships, and it has recently produced race winning designs for Honda competing in the American Le Mans Series.
Wirth, who is the technical director of Manor Grand Prix Racing, started his career as an aerodynamicist for the March F1 racing team.
He was responsible for aerodynamic concepts as well as scheming and design of wind tunnel model components for the 1988 and 1989 Leyton House March F1 cars.
From 1993 to 1995, Wirth was founder/owner/technical director of the Simtek F1 team, which started in the 1994 F1 championship.
Simtek Research provided the team with all of the engineering and design of the cars. Wirth went on to become chief designer for the Benetton F1 team from 1996 to 1999.
TEAM US F1
Country: United States
Team principal: Ken Anderson
Team US F1 is a new racing operation, but its directors have many years of motor sport experience and it has already attracted a host of investors.
US F1's team principal Ken Anderson has been involved in motor sport for over 30 years.
His experiences include designing and constructing multiple Indy 500 and IndyCar Series-winning race cars, operating as technical director for the Ligier and Onyx Formula One teams and creating the advanced Windshear wind tunnel.
Fellow team director Peter Windsor has worked in F1 for over 35 years as a journalist, team manager and consultant.
He has worked as the team manager for the championship-winning Williams-Renault team, was manager for Ferrari's F1 chassis and suspension departments and a consultant for F1 drivers Nigel Mansell and Carlos Reutemann.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Webber: Button has it in the bag
Mark Webber feels Jenson Button is in a position where he could now cruise home to the Formula One world title.
In taking the chequered flag in Sunday's Turkish Grand Prix for his sixth win in seven races this season, Button built a commanding 26-point lead over Brawn GP team-mate Rubens Barrichello.
Other than the veteran Brazilian, Red Bull's Webber and Sebastian Vettel are the 29-year-old's closest challengers, albeit 33.5 and 32 points adrift respectively.
The duo were second and third in Istanbul, finishing around seven seconds adrift, but as the Australian rightly recognised, Button was "on another level".
The likes of Ferrari's Felipe Massa and Renault's Fernando Alonso have already made it clear the Briton is unlikely to be caught.
Webber also appreciates Button is "in an incredible position".
He added: "To have a 26-point lead is an amazing position to be in.
"But the way the points-scoring system is at the moment, for him to chip away is not that easy if his main competitors are consistent.
"Two DNFs (did not finish) obviously changes things, but there's no question about it, he's in fantastic shape going forward with seven races down and 10 to go.
"Even if he's cruising and picks up a lot of results, rather than being on the top step, it's going to be a long time for people to get that back.
"Finishes are crucial for him, and he's been around long enough to know that."
Webber is refusing to rule himself out of the equation after his second runner-up finish of the year, and with arguably the best car he has driven currently beneath him.
"We are in a position to challenge at most grands prix now, and that is very rewarding for the whole team," added Webber.
"We expected to be a bit closer in Turkey, to be honest. But there was no way anyone was going to beat Jenson.
"It's not that we're going to change our mentality going forward.
"We're doing everything we can to make the car as fast as possible for every venue we go to, and that's starting with the next grand prix in the UK.
"We need to keep going on the path we are, but we need to bite into the back of their (Brawn GP) development if we can somehow.
"We obviously need to do it soon because the more races we do, less follow.
"Everyone is working incredibly hard, but the guy leading the championship keeps going away.
"It wasn't bad for the constructors' (championship) for us, but in the drivers', Jenson has gone away a bit more.
F1 row inches towards resolution
Formula One appears to be closing in on an agreement that will end the civil war between the teams and the sport's governing body (FIA).
The teams' umbrella group (Fota) and the FIA are in talks aimed at reaching a compromise over the disagreement.
The two parties have been in dispute over plans for a budget cap and the future of the sport.
Sources say negotiations are at a "delicate stage" but both sides are hopeful of reaching an agreement.
Fota have responded to a letter from FIA president Max Mosley after he urged them to this week submit an unconditional entry for next year.
Mosley made it clear if they did so, he would sit down with all the confirmed entrants and listen to their proposals with regard to the shaping of the regulations for 2010.
Button: I want to win every race
Jenson Button has vowed that there will be no let up in his bid to win this season's Formula One world title.
Despite six victories in seven races to open up a 26-point lead at the top of the drivers' standings, Button wants more.
The reason being is that as quickly as Button's star has risen this year, he appreciates it could just as easily fall again.
There is no sign of that at present, certainly not after a Turkish Grand Prix triumph yesterday that was effectively all over after two miles.
Brawn GP team-mate Rubens Barrichello's clutch problem off the line and pole-sitter Sebastian Vettel's mistake halfway into the first lap handed Button a victory that left him purring.
Describing his car as "perfect", Button is currently in a league of his own, a position he has no intention of relinquishing.
"I know I would love to win every single race this year, but I also know I've another 19 guys on the circuit that want to stop me doing that," assessed Button.
"I'm in a good position, and while the race in Turkey showed we do have the best car, I also think we have the best package.
"This car really suits me and I think I'm driving at my best.
"Everybody within the team is in a very good position, and they are also giving 100%.
"At the moment you would say the situation is perfect, but it could quite easily go the wrong way.
"These guys (referring to Red Bull) could easily bolt something on the car to bring them to our pace, or even quicker, so you can't take anything for granted.
"You've got to keep pushing. You can't lift off and hope for the best, or try and take it easy.
"So although I've a 26-point lead, which is just out of this world, I'm still not going to lift off.
"I'm still going to do the best job I can at every race I go to, and I'm still going to make every move I possibly can to win every race.
"I know that is not going to be easy because I will have a bad race this year, and I will get beaten.
"It will then be about being ready for that when it happens."
You would assume for a driver suddenly experiencing the good times after years enduring the bad to get carried away with success.
But at 29, Button is no longer fresh-faced and starry-eyed, and it is the recollection of such bad times that ensure he is retaining his composure.
For team principal Ross Brawn, he is grateful he does not have to face the additional challenge of keeping Button level-headed.
"The guy is very well balanced in his approach," remarked Brawn.
"He has been through some very tough years, and with this team (when they were Honda) so he knows how much he has had to put in to get where he is today.
"He won't let it go to his head, and I know it won't. Jenson has always had a nice character, which hasn't changed at all since he started to enjoy the success.
"He is a delight to work with, and he deserves everything he is getting."
Despite the team's domination of the season so far as they run away with both the drivers' and constructors' titles, Brawn is adamant neither is in the bag.
"We don't think that way. I won't allow us to," asserted Brawn.
"I'm obviously delighted with the performance, and I'm beginning to run out of superlatives to describe our season.
"Jenson was just exceptional (in Turkey). He drove an outstanding race, and demonstrated the level of talent and composure that we have come to expect.
"I think the car was great and the engineers did a super job by giving him the set-up he wanted. It was just a very, very good day.
"But as to any thoughts that we are there, I don't let them enter."
Button takes sixth win of season
Jenson Button continued his domination of Formula 1 with his sixth victory of the season in Turkey.
A mistake from Brawn GP team-mate Rubens Barrichello off the line, and an error from pole-sitter Sebastian Vettel in his Red Bull on the opening lap allowed Button to cruise to the line in the Turkish Grand Prix.
It was the 29-year-old's fourth consecutive success, the first time that has been achieved by a Briton since Nigel Mansell went on to take the title in 1992.
Turkish GP in pictures
Button now has a 26-point cushion over Barrichello at the top of the standings as the Brazilian retired on lap 49, with Vettel 32 points adrift as he finished third behind team-mate Mark Webber.
After crossing the line, Button was told over the pit-to-car radio he had produced an "awesome drive," to which he replied: "Thankyou. You've built me a monster of a car. You guys are absolute legends."
And rightly so because only five times in Formula One's 60-year history has any driver won six out of the first seven races, notably Alberto Ascari, Juan Manuel Fangio, Jim Clark and Michael Schumacher (twice).
Button could not have asked for it to be any easier, either, thanks to Barrichello initially as he stalled from his third place on the grid, relegating him down to 13th by the end of the first lap.
As for Vettel, whose two previous victories had come from pole, the young German ran wide onto a painted kerb coming out of turn nine.
That forced him into running onto the grass approaching turn 10, which was all the invitation Button needed to take the lead, and ultimately the victory.
Not even switching Vettel to a three-stop strategy then worked for although he ran behind Button's exhaust at the midway point of the race, his failure to pass the championship leader also cost him.
It was not even good enough for the runner-up spot as Webber did enough in his stints to take the line just 0.7secs clear of the 21-year-old.
Toyota's Jarno Trulli finished fourth, followed by Nico Rosberg in his Williams, matching his best performance of the season.
Winner of this race from pole for the last three years in Felipe Massa in his Ferrari was sixth, with BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica finally ending his points duck with seventh.
The second Toyota of Timo Glock completed the top eight, with Lewis Hamilton 13th in his pitiful McLaren, finishing 80.4 seconds adrift of runaway winner and championship leader Button.
As for the constructors', Brawn's first failure of the season means Red Bull have closed the gap by four points to 39.5.
In the build-up immediately before the race at Istanbul's Otodrom, there had been wild rumours the FOTA eight would boycott it at the end of the formation lap.
It had been suggested as a protest to their ongoing feud with the FIA over the budget cap, but as expected it failed to materialise, thankfully so for Button who marches on.
An emotional Button said: "It's the best the car has felt all year. "It's previously been a bit loose and not really suited my style, but today it was just incredible, and that's thanks to everyone in the team.
"I wish I could have have had all the boys on the podium with me, but in the end I could only have one of my engineers."
Looking ahead to the next race at Silverstone in a fortnight, Button said: "The British Grand Prix is always great.
"To lead the championship by 26 points is quite a nice feeling, so we'll see what happens."
A happy Webber, second for the second time this year, said: "It was a good afternoon for me. I had to hang in there at the start.
"I knew top spot was taken, so it was just a question of the other podium places.
"The second stint was crucial for me. I did enough in that to get the jump on Sebastian and finish second."
Vettel owned up to his mistake at the start, but despite that felt he would not have been able to have held off Button in any case.
"The start worked out okay, but then I lost the car at turns nine and 10, I think due to a bit of a tail wind," reflected Vettel.
"But it wouldn't have made a difference because Jenson was just too good today, so I think we can be satisfied with second and third."
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Hamilton hopeful after practice
Lewis Hamilton will continue to 'hustle and grind' tomorrow in a bid to cause a qualifying surprise ahead of the Turkish Grand Prix.
The reigning world champion and McLaren team-mate Heikki Kovalainen perhaps raised a few eyebrows in today's practice sessions at the Istanbul Otodrom.
Hamilton was second quickest in first practice, knocked off the top in the dying embers by the latest showboating performance from Nico Rosberg as the Williams driver put in another low-fuel late blast.
Then in the second 90-minute run, Kovalainen set the fastest time of the day with a lap of one minute 28.841secs, although it is fair to suggest there is more to come from pre-race favourites Brawn GP, Red Bull and Ferrari.
Nevertheless, Hamilton was happy with his day's work, in particular as McLaren were not expected to be running anywhere near the top.
"I was quite surprised by the pace of the car," reflected Hamilton, who spun twice in the space of seven minutes in the second session.
"We definitely have better pace here than we anticipated, but every little bit that comes adds up bit by bit.
"I am not saying we have the speed of the other top guys, but we're getting closer.
"Heikki certainly did a great job and seems to be fast enough, so for this weekend's race we look like we may have the pace to be in the top 10, and that's a great step for us.
"It's been a complete hustle all year to get into the top 10. We're hustling and grinding to get every bit out of that car as possible.
"I feel we get a little more out of the car every time, and that's why I am happy with the work we have been doing.
"If we had been a lot closer at the start of the season we would have caught up by now, but we were a long way away.
"We'll get there eventually. We're working hard as we can. We know it's not a quick fix and it just takes time.
"We're churning away at it, still focusing on this year but keeping an eye on next year."
Another surprise was the sight of Jenson Button languishing in 11th and 12th at the end of the two sessions, by far his worst practice day of a season he has so far dominated.
The championship leader following five wins in six races conceded to enduring a "tough first day...trying to find a good balance with the car."
He added: "We tried many different set-up options over the course of the two sessions.
"But unfortunately we could not get the car to where I want it to be and struggled with a lack of grip.
"However, we now have a great deal of information to review after trying a few evaluations and believe we have some understanding of what is causing the problems.
"We need to have a good look at everything tonight and I'm hopeful we can resolve today's issues and have a better day tomorrow."
Renault's Fernando Alonso was second quickest overall on the day, finishing just six thousandths of a second behind Kovalainen.
Felipe Massa, winner of the last three races here from pole, was fifth and 11th in the two sessions, with his best lap half a second down on the Finn.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Alonso banking on late show again
Fernando Alonso is convinced a repeat of last year's end-of-season show is on the cards.
Alonso's form so far over the opening six grands prix of this year with Renault is not too far removed from 12 months ago.
The Spaniard has at least finished all the races, the last three in the points, with 11 overall to lie seventh in the standings, albeit 40 behind championship leader Jenson Button.
Although this is now another season the 2005 and 2006 champion can forget about adding a third crown, he is at least confident of a late rally just as last year when he won in Singapore and Japan.
Those back-to-back victories enabled Alonso to claim more points in the final six races than any of the title contenders.
"It's clear we need to take another step forward," said Alonso, who managed seventh in the Monaco Grand Prix 10 days ago.
"We will have new developments for the car over the next few weeks and that should help, but I'm not expecting to jump to the front of the grid in Turkey this weekend.
"However, I still believe later in the year we can be back fighting for podiums and winning races, just as we did last year.
"We know it won't be easy, but the team is extremely motivated and determined to get back to the front."
With Alonso behind the wheel, Renault certainly have the chance to do that, with the team's executive director of engineering in Pat Symonds hailing the 29-year-old's performance this year.
"Fernando has been working really hard and extracting the maximum from the car and every situation," assessed Symonds.
"He's really driving as well as I've ever seen him drive, although like all of us he's frustrated we're not fighting in the position we'd like to be."
Symonds insists, however, no stone is being left unturned in the team's efforts to return to winning ways.
"We're a team that has always had, and continues to have, strong morale," insisted Symonds.
"We're all very impressed with the work being done back at base to improve the car by the research and design teams.
"Seeing how quickly we can introduce new parts, such as our new diffuser, does a lot for the morale of everybody in the team.
"We're fighting hard. We're very ambitious, and we know where we want to be and we're working hard to get there."
Monday, June 1, 2009
Jenson Button still wary of big guns
Jenson Button is refusing to write off Formula One's big boys just yet as he remains convinced their time will come this season.
Ferrari, McLaren and BMW Sauber have so far mustered a meagre 25 points between them after five grands prix, still a whopping 43 points shy of the total amassed by the flying Brawns.
As each race approaches, there is expectation last season's front-running trio will finally step up to the plate and bring an end to the woes they have endured.
Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix should have been the time when Ferrari and BMW Sauber in particular underlined their strength in depth and their resources.
The Prancing Horse marque kicked briefly into life, but errors and reliability again undermined their weekend, leaving under-pressure team principal Stefano Domenicali facing more questions rather than delivering answers.
Instead, it was Ross Brawn's team who proved their early-season form is here to stay, and they are title challengers to be feared and respected.
Button, who made it four wins out of five with his latest victory at the Circuit de Catalunya, is convinced the top trio will ride the storm.
Assessing their form, Button said: "It's quite strange.
"At the first race BMW were competitive. You could say some of it was down to their strategy with the tyres, but they did a good job.
"In Bahrain, McLaren were surprisingly quick, the same with Ferrari in Barcelona in qualifying. They've had good races, but they just haven't had the consistency.
"When you've started so far back compared to the competition, you're throwing things at the car.
"I'm sure they're putting lots of new parts on the car to improve it. Some might not work, some probably do work.
"It's a much easier position for us, obviously, at the front. We can really test the parts and make sure they are an improvement before we put them on.
"Whereas Ferrari and McLaren need to put as much performance on the car as possible.
"But they're both great teams and they've both achieved so much in the past, as we all know.
"They've had tough years before, maybe not quite as tough, but they will definitely bounce back.
"They're very strong teams, and we'll see them being competitive throughout the year."
For now, it is Red Bull Racing who pose the strongest threat to the Brawn supremacy, and Button's hopes of becoming world champion.
Christian Horner's team are 29.5 points adrift, but at least kept up the pressure in Barcelona with Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel finishing third and fourth.
At this stage it is very much a Brawn versus Red Bull battle, with Brawn acknowledging that as he said: "It looks that way doesn't it.
"They've a very strong team, a good group of people, good drivers, so it looks to me at the moment they're the main challenge to us.
"Other teams will come and go during the season, but in terms of a long-term challenge, then Red Bull look very strong.
"They are consistently good, whereas other teams are a little less consistent at the moment."
Toyota hoping speculation will end
Toyota Motorsport boss John Howett feels his team's commitment to Formula One will end speculation regarding their future.
Toyota have long been rumoured, along with BMW Sauber and Renault, to be quitting F1 at the end of this season due to the spiralling costs, and the global crisis surrounding the car industry.
But Toyota on Friday joined eight other current F1 teams in lodging a block entry to compete in 2010, and beyond, through to 2012.
Toyota, along with Ferrari, McLaren, BMW Sauber, Renault, Red Bull Racing, Toro Rosso, Brawn GP and Force India, have provided a firm undertaking to sign up for another three years - with conditions.
"It is Toyota's sincere wish to be part of Formula One in 2010, and the conditions attached to our entry, if agreed, would enable us to commit to the sport until the end of 2012," confirmed Howett.
"As explained in the FOTA statement, our entry is conditional upon the specific conditions which have been outlined being satisfied.
"We are optimistic we can work productively with the Federation to build a solid foundation for the future of Formula One, based on lasting stability and sound governance."
The Formula One Teams' Association are demanding the basis of the 2010 regulations be this year's rules.
In essence it means there would be no voluntary £40million budget cap as originally stipulated by FIA president Max Mosley.
As FOTA stated, they have "unanimously agreed further and significant actions to substantially reduce the costs of competing in the championship in the next three years".
They feel that would "create a mechanism that will preserve the technological competition and the sporting challenge and, at the same time, facilitate the entry in the championship for new teams".
What FOTA are saying is Mosley's fear the sport would lose further teams following Honda's departure in December has effectively been negated.
Mosley has 10 teams - Williams signed up unconditionally on Monday - who have vowed to compete in a FIA-run F1 championship over the next three years, during which time they will continue to work on reducing costs to an acceptable level.
The second proviso is that all parties - the teams, FIA and Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One Management - sign a new Concorde Agreement before June 12.
The Agreement is a binding regulatory and commercial protocol which has governed the sport for the previous 25 years.
In this case it would include the re-formation of the F1 Commission which would see the FIA and teams working together on regulations.
Mosley's governance, and his unilateral imposition of the rules without consulting the teams, has been at the core of the war that has raged these past few weeks.
As FOTA added: "The renewal of the Concorde Agreement will provide security for the future of the sport by binding all parties in a formal relationship that will ensure stability via sound governance."
There are still bridges to be crossed, but the ball is now firmly in Mosley's court.
Ferrari stay firm over budget cap
Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali insists their decision to sign up conditionally for the 2010 Formula 1 season does not mean they will accept a budget cap.
Ferrari and the eight other members of Formula One Teams Association (Fota) have submitted a joint entry dependent on conditions being met by 12 June.
One condition is that they can operate under current technical regulations.
Domenicali said: "Making the 2009 regulations the starting point means there will be no budget cap."
Ferrari had threatened to quit F1 after 60 unbroken years of competition if the International Automobile Federation (FIA) did not change the rules for the 2010 season which included an optional £40m budget cap.
But Ferrari's decision to enter conditionally was seen as greatly reducing the likelihood of their departure from the sport.
However, if the conditions, put forward by Fota members Ferrari, McLaren, BMW Sauber, Toyota, Renault, Red Bull Racing, Toro Rosso, Brawn GP and Force India are not met, Domenicali pointed out the answer was simple.
"If the conditions are not met, the entries will be invalid," he said.
The FIA is due to publish the official entry list for the 2010 season on 12 June.
Williams were suspended from Fota after signing up for next season on their own last Monday.