2005/2006 F1 News and Testing.

kaiowas said:

Alternatively you could go and watch some racing.

On another note: Ralph Firman to Super Aguri, you heard it here first

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So what was it, money or facilities?

When the future of the 2006 Belgian Grand Prix was first thrown in doubt, it was because the former promoter had gone bankrupt and, with the local government unwilling to pump in more money, there was nobody to promote the event.

As the saga continued, various options were looked at, including running the Spa event as the Luxembourg Grand Prix, but this too was dropped.

At one point, F1 supremo, Bernie Ecclestone told Reuters that he would possibly step in and promote the event, claiming that the race at the legendary track had to be on the calendar.

Then, seemingly, from out of nowhere, came reports that other than financial concerns, there was the matter of redevelopment that had to be carried out to the pit and paddock area in order to satisfy Ecclestone's demands.

Today's statement from the Belgian National Sporting Authority, the RACB, only refers to the 'improvements' needed for the facilities, and makes no mention of the financial situation.

Therefore, one has to ask, what was the real reason for the cancellation of the 2006 Grand Prix, was it financial, and the lack of a promoter, or was it the failure to improve the facilities?

As recently as 2001, Spa catered for 11 teams, so why the urgency - other than for aesthetic reasons - in 2006?

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Israelis to run Turkish track?

According to a report in the Greek media, the Israeli-owned Ofer Brothers group of companies is conducting a feasibility study on whether to take on the operations of the Istanbul Park Formula 1 circuit. The track cost more than $150m to construct and has lost money and the Istanbul authorities are keen to get it off their books. The Ofer Brothers are apparently looking at the venue to see if they can find a way of making the venue cost-effective, given that the government is understand to be paying the fees to the Formula One group.

The Ofer Brothers are a big Israeli company, based in London, which has involvements in real estate, property development, baqnkings, shipping, technology and energy. It is worth noting that its Zim shipping company recently announced that it is be a sponsor of MF1 Racing.

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Flibster said:

Ralph has always been a possibility - since doing very well with Aguri Suzuki out in Japan...plus he's well liked by Honda.

More than a Japanese driver....who knows...

He's also a really nice chap and a good driver. Would he be able to get out of his A1GP duties though? *can't see any reason why not - but...*

He'd be good for the team - certainly better than Sato - Wouldn't mind seing Firman and Davidson as the drivers - they'll need good development drivers.

Simon/~Flibster

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kaiowas said:

I know for a fact he has just got some sort of F1 job through his Honda connections, don't know anything more just yet but Super Aguri makes most sense to me.

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Flibster said:

Hot off the presses...



NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

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ashtray_head said:

we like insider information...... pffft Simon.... been beaten this time??

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Flibster said:

Possibly...

Don't have any contacts at BAR/Honda anymore *they've moved to McLaren...*

Typical - already have contacts at McLaren and now I have more....

Tempted to try and get one fired so he can go to BMW or Honda.

Simon/~Flibster

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ashtray_head said:

I think thats pushing it a little far!! ...... Ok go on then!!

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Flibster said:

All I need to do is forward onto one of the bosses some of the emails and photo's that some of them have sent me.

Will certainly drop them into a deep pool of poo.

Simon/~Flibster

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Duke said:

New video on the Honda F1 site of their engine on a dyno. Not sure if it's the V8 or V10 but still worth watching

http://www.hondaracingf1.com/php/audiovideo_popup.php?audiovideo_id=1005&type=video&size=2

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Too cold for Red Bull!

English-based teams often have problems getting hot-blooded South American drivers to deal with the freezing cold and damp conditions that characterise your average day’s testing at Silverstone. No such problems with Christian Klien however, who’s well used to the rigours of an Austrian winter.

While the driver stood up well to the cold, the same could not be said for the pit stop equipment. The race team joined the test team today to carry out some “live” pit-stop practice runs with the car being driven down pit lane and real refueling taking place.

The crew did an excellent job considering the winter break and the fact that there are some new faces on the team. However, practice had to be delayed until the middle of the day as the wheel guns were freezing up in the morning!

“It was a scrappy day,” commented Chief Test Engineer, Ian Morgan. “The track stayed damp most of the time and we only really managed to do some runs on dry tyres after 3pm. Unfortunately, we lost the last half hour of the session with a hydraulic system problem we had not encountered before and which we are currently investigating.”

Red Bull Racing’s next test session kicks off in Valencia on Tuesday, 14th February.

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Spa Francorchamps stand-in to be 'discussed'

The best track in F1 is off the calendar...

The axed Belgian Grand Prix will almost certainly not be replaced in 2006, it is reported in the Italian press.

But La Gazzetta dello Sport, the well-connected sports newspaper, quoted a source close to the FIA as nonetheless admitting that 'discussions about the opportunity for a new Grand Prix' will be held.

In reality, however, the F1 paddock - although disappointed to see the drivers' favourite Spa Francorchamps go - heaved a sigh of relief at news that the calendar will be shorter than the unprecedented 19-race schedule of last year.

But the Belgian axe will not be welcomed by drivers, who - apart from the fact that they'll now mostly have to go testing in the free week preceding Spa's blank weekend date - always list the track as one a favourite.

“It's a shame,” Red Bull driver and F1 veteran David Coulthard told the BBC, “but (Formula One is) a business and you've got to get on with it.”

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2002 Arrows looks different - Aguri

Super Aguri's initial 2006 racer will not look exactly like Arrows' 2002 car, even though it is based on the defunct team's 'A23'.

While work on a bespoke car goes on, the Japanese team is to kick off the new season with 'SA05' - the Arrows, bought from former Minardi owner and F1 car collector Paul Stoddart, refitted to satisfy new aerodynamic regulations and crash tests, and Honda's customer V8 engine.

'It is impossible to recognise the (Arrows) chassis,' managing director Daniele Audetto told La Gazzetta dello Sport, according to a translation from Italian.

He said the car's 'entire' bodywork, last raced by Tom Walkinshaw-led Arrows at Hockenheim 2002, has changed.

The Italian sports newspaper also reported that the re-badged A23 is a little heavier than it was in 2002, as it had to be reinforced to allow it to pass more stringent FIA tests.

Audetto admitted: 'We know that we will not be competitive initially, so we will use the first few grands prix to get some mileage and experience.'

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Red Bull deny 'Pepsi' talks

Dietrich Mateschitz, owner of two Formula One teams, has reportedly denied speculation that he might sell Red Bull to soft drink rival PepsiCo.

Austria's 'NEWS' magazine claimed that Mateschitz, a multi billionaire, had held discussions with the New York-based Pepsi company, on the back of speculation that it was keen to capitalise on the small but lucrative market of energy drinks.

Meanwhile, it is reported that 61-year-old Mateschitz has bought a 5 square-mile Fijian private island - called 'Laucala' - for $10m.

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Bernie hints that 'GPMA' solution near

Bernie Ecclestone has dismissed claims that he is losing ground in the battle with F1's disgruntled carmaker group.

The specialist press cheekily said this week that Bernie, the 75-year-old supremo, would have secretly grimaced at the publication of excellent profit figures for his company - because it meant he had more to spare to appease GPMA's cash demands.

But, amid suggestions that a deal for a new Concorde agreement is nearing, he told the 'Independent' newspaper: 'It makes it more interesting for them to want to do a deal.

'They should be very happy. It is a lot of money and they will be getting a big chunk of it soon.'

Ecclestone also scoffed at claims that Max Mosley's provocative recent comments might only have driven BMW, Renault, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Honda closer to their threatened 'breakaway' series for 2008.

He said of the threatened split: 'They would have done it by now if they were going to.'

Even GPMA's media contact, Xander Heijnen, mused positively about the likelihood of a new commercial agreement with Ecclestone.

'We appreciate the progress made,' he said, 'and hope agreement on the outstanding issues can be reached soon.'

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