2005/2006 F1 News and Testing.

Flibster · 11 Jan 2006 at 11:27

O2 to sponsor BMW

Just weeks after McLaren announced that it has persuaded Vodafone to 'jump ship' from Ferrari and become its title sponsor in 2007, BMW has announced a partnership with fellow communications company O2

The new BMW Sauber F1 Team will have the support of mobile phone operator O2 Germany in 2006. As an official partner of the BMW Sauber F1 Team, O2 is extending its previous Formula One involvement and its existing partnership with BMW.

The partnership between the BMW Sauber F1 Team and O2 goes beyond conventional sponsoring. Starting this season, for example, the Munich-based network provider is planning to offer team-design merchandising articles in its stores. O2 also offers a wide range of WAP, MMS and SMS information services on the subject of motor racing as well as up-to-the-minute news. The BMW Sauber F1 Team will in future be making its mobile phone calls through O2.

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen: "It is important for us to have partners who apply the same high standards to their products. O2 stands for quality, innovative solutions and user-friendliness. We are looking forward to working together."

Rudolf Gröger, CEO of O2 Germany, adds: "O2 and the BMW Sauber F1 Team share the same striving for perfection. Both partners focus on innovation and use the latest technology to achieve rapid success."

The connection between the two companies has a history. O2 was already an official supplier to the BMW WilliamsF1 Team and a team partner of BMW Motorsport during their one-two victory in the Nürburgring 24-Hour Race in 2005.

Telefonica sponsoring 2 teams...
Renault as Telefonica
BMW as O2

Thats a lot of money...

Flibster · 11 Jan 2006 at 11:29

Upgrade for Imola

At a time when it is being suggested that both Italy and Germany 'lose' a round of the World Championship - both countries host two races at present - it has been revealed that the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, which hosts the San Marino Grand Prix, is being given a government grant, thought to be around £7m, in order to carry out upgrade work.

The Imola track has been the subject of criticism for some time, a situation not helped by the emergence of new state-of-the-art tracks in Turkey, China and Bahrain.

Now, the government grant will allow a major upgrade, which will see the paddock re-located and enlarged, and a number of grandstands re-locate, most likely to where the old paddock and pits used to be.

The upgrade, due to begin following this year's Grand Prix, comes at a time when the home of the Italian Grand Prix, the Autodromo Nazionale at Monza, is under pressure from local residents regarding noise levels.

At a court hearing on Tuesday, it was revealed that those taking action against the historic race track are aiming to settle the issue out of court.

This would suggest that having moved into the area after the Autodrome was built, the families concerned are willing to allow racing to continue providing they are given the necessary dosh to allow them to go on holiday at Grand Prix time. They could further clean up by renting out their homes to teams and sponsors, though this probably hasn't occurred to them.

Flibster · 11 Jan 2006 at 14:23

Cooling problem blights Red Bull

Red Bull is still struggling to overcome a cooling problem that blighted its new RB2 chassis on its first shakedown test last month.

David Coulthard drove the new car again at Jerez in Spain on Tuesday, but his work was interrupted by continuing efforts to resolve the overheating issue.

"It was something of a scrappy day,” said the team’s technical director Mark Smith.

“Our priority today had been to see if we had solved the cooling problem we encountered at Silverstone and the short answer is that we have not.

“However, it did not prevent us from running.

"We went for the short term fix of additional holes in the bodywork.”

Despite these problems and a separate electrical issue, the team did manage to complete some set-up work and tyre testing with the new Ferrari-powered car.

Flibster · 11 Jan 2006 at 14:25

Massa calm about his future

Felipe Massa says he is not yet thinking about his long-term future at Ferrari despite only having a one-year contract with the team.

When the Brazilian was signed last summer, speculation suggested that he was only a stop-gap measure.

According to the rumours, Ferrari was already lining up McLaren ace Kimi Raikkonen and motorcycle legend Valentino Rossi for 2007, when Michael Schumacher was expected to retire.

But Massa insists he is “calm” about his future prospects and focusing on this season rather than worrying about the longer-term.

“Everyone is talking about 2007 when we are at the start of the 2006 season, and that is a bit funny,” he told Reuters.

“When I talk to the people here, Ross Brawn, Jean Todt and so on, they are all talking about 2006.”

With Rossi testing for Ferrari several times over the winter, the rumours linking him to a Formula 1 switch have gained credence, but Massa reckons the five-time MotoGP champion would be unwise to jump straight into car racing’s premier league.

“It is nice to see a driver coming from MotoGP, but Formula 1 is very different,” said Massa.

“Everyone needs to gain experience in this sport and many of us started in karting when we were eight or 10 years old.

“He hasn’t done that.

“He is undoubtedly a great talent, but if he wants to come into F1 he needs some experience, like doing a year as a test driver.”

Flibster · 11 Jan 2006 at 17:08

FIA set to confirm 'Aguri' entry

F1's eleventh team, Super Aguri, is likely to be shown a green light by the FIA this week.

It had been expected that the governing body would formally approve the Japanese outfit's late entry last week, after all ten fellow teams unanimously agreed to let it happen.

According to whispers, the FIA will now make an announcement on Thursday or - at the latest - early on Friday.

It is understood that Aguri Suzuki-led 'Super Aguri' has now lodged the mandatory $48m bond. "A formal announcement of the new team's entry will be made on receipt of the (financial) guarantee," a spokesman said last week

Flibster · 12 Jan 2006 at 10:12

Is Spa safe?

It would appear that the Belgian Grand Prix is safe, following reports that a deal has been agreed whereby Bernie Ecclestone could become the race promoter.

The future of the race was put in jeopardy when the previous promoter went bankrupt and the regional government refused to invest any further money, having bailed him out in 2005.

According to a local news agency, Belga, the regional government's budget minister, Michel Daerden, claims that a deal is near to being done.

"I am looking at the infrastructure dossier," he is quoted as saying. "It is practically finalised, without much else to say."

Flibster · 12 Jan 2006 at 11:57

V8 Merc not facing re-design - McLaren

McLaren has moved to explain why rev-limited V10s, not Mercedes' 2006 V8 engines, were fitted to the orange winter cars at Jerez on Wednesday.

As the interim MP4-20B pulled out of the Spanish garage in the morning, a whisper rattled up pitlane that - faced with poor reliability in the November/December period - the German engine maker had decided to pull the V8 and hurriedly redesign it for the start of '06.

Not exactly so, a team statement contended.

'Engine production is focused on the V8 for the (2006) MP4-21 (car),' McLaren clarified, 'which has different mountings from the one used in the MP4-20B.'

Because of this, however, McLaren will only resume on-track V8 testing with the debut of the new 2006 machine some time later this month.

Flibster · 12 Jan 2006 at 12:15

V8s give fans less

Although the grumbles are now generally getting quieter, there is still some serious opposition to the dawning of Formula One's less powerful V8 era.

McLaren tester Pedro de la Rosa, from the beginning, has been staunchly opposed to the ridding of V10 grunt.

The Spaniard worries that both drivers and spectators have been robbed of something special.

'F1 has to remain at the pinnacle,' de la Rosa, 34, told daily Spanish newspaper 'Marca'.

'All we are doing with the V8s is offering drivers and fans less.'

For the man at the wheel, Pedro says driving a 750hp V8 is 'much simpler' than the highest-spec 950 horse power monsters of late '05.

After driving a rev-limited V10 at Jerez on Wednesday, he added: 'Physically, V8 is easier.

'Young drivers, who are coming into Formula One today, have a much simpler task. It's like saying to a marathon runner, 'Run each kilometre in 3min 20s rather than 3m 15s'.'

At the Madonna di Campiglio press event, however, Ferrari counterpart Marc Gene - to test at Jerez on Thursday - played down the gravity of the V8 problem.

The Spaniard said: 'I don't think it will force people to change their driving style and I don't think the fans will notice a difference.'

Flibster · 12 Jan 2006 at 12:16

Toyota try to hush F1 rumour mill

Toyota has reacted to paddock speculation linking both Kimi Räikkönen and Michael Schumacher with the Cologne based F1 outfit.

First, the rumour mill suggested that McLaren's 26-year-old Räikkönen could be Toyota-bound, on a supposed $120 million deal.

And, just in recent days, Schumacher's manager Willi Weber referred to the Toyota slogan 'Nothing Is Impossible' in hinting that the German could switch camps at year's end.

'The team confirms its commitment to both Ralf (Schumacher) and Jarno (Trulli),' Toyota's press statement insisted, 'and to the continuity that is a key part of its development.'

The statement added that driver negotiations concerning '07 and beyond would be dealt with 'at a later date'.

Even under Toyota's own roof, driver talent is no scarcity. The team announced this week that Dutchman Henkie Waldschmidt and Martin Plowman, of England, have been added to the 'Young Drivers Programme'.

The appointments involve funded drivers in Formula Renault seats.

'We cannot guarantee that (they) will become F1 drivers,' said programme boss Noritoshi Arai, 'but one of the aims is to seek out the next driving stars and to bring them up step-by-step.'

Flibster · 12 Jan 2006 at 12:35

Walkinshaw does a deal with Mitsubishi

The new Tom Walkinshaw Group Limited has signed a deal with the Colt Car Company to supply Mitsubishi competition cars, components and accessories from its Milton Keynes technical facility. TWG Motorsport will offer unique high-performance components, including engine, gearbox and suspension, and EVO IX cars across a variety of specifications, from standard through to bespoke builds, tailored to individual driver's specific requirements. Mitsubishi competitors will also have the benefit of a full TWG trackside technical support service at races, tests and track days.

The Colt Car Company is the exclusive importer and distributor of Mitsubishi Motors in the UK. It has 114 dealerships around the country but at the moment is only involved in national rallying and off-road competitions and it will be interesting to see what plans are announced later today in Birmingham.

Mitsubishi recently axed its World Rally Championship programme as part of its plan to restructure after its less-than-successful relationship with DaimlerChrysler.

Flibster · 12 Jan 2006 at 12:36

The return of Grand Prix Masters

The Grand Prix Masters organisation enjoyed some success at the inaugural event in South Africa in November and is now looking ahead to expand the idea and has announced a second race which will be held on the Losail International Racetrack near Doha, Qatar on April 29.

The track is new and has been used for motorcycle racing but with a track width of 12m and a length of 3.3-miles it should be suitable for the cars.

There is no word as yet as to whom will be driving in the event, although Nigel Mansell is expected to be there as rumours suggest that he is a shareholder in the series.

Flibster · 12 Jan 2006 at 14:34

Stoddart: V8's have increased costs

Former Minardi boss Paul Stoddart has branded the introduction of V8 engines a “complete failure” as a cost-saving measure.

Formula 1’s governing body the FIA is intent on slashing teams’ operating budgets to ensure the sport remains financially viable and can attract privateer entrants back into the fold in the future.

But Stoddart says the switch from three-litre V10s to 2.4-litre V8s has in fact increased costs because of the need to design a completely new engine.

“A lot of people are saying we should not have had V8 engines and should have stuck with V10s,” Stoddart said at the Autosport International show in Birmingham.

“The history of the V8 engine is that in May of 2004 there was a meeting with Bernie [Ecclestone], the FIA and the teams where the teams asked to save money and the V8 engine was suggested.

“But did we save money? I don't think you will find anyone who would say yes.

“You have to argue that if it was done for costs then it was a complete failure.

“You have got more costs and we have yet to find out what they sound like.

“The V10 was synonymous with F1 over the years and it had its own individual sound.”

Stoddart’s comments echo the views of several of F1’s leading engine manufacturers, who have claimed that the development of V8s has imposed significant additional costs.

Flibster · 12 Jan 2006 at 14:37

Midland is online

The first Formula One team to race under a Russian license, Midland F1 Racing, is officially online since today.

The MF1 Racing Team has launched their website 21 days before they will launch their car.

MF1 took over the Jordan team. Who wants to take a look on the new website: http://www.midlandf1.com/

Lets hope it's better than the STR site which is god awful..

Well - it's there - just very empty...
Doesn't look too bad though.

Flibster · 13 Jan 2006 at 14:30

'The First Time You Think 'Shall I retire?' You Should Do It'

Michael Schumacher should quit formula one, according to his former championship rival.

'Flying Finn' Mika Hakkinen, who won his first of two titles in 1998 in a showdown with the German, has chimed into the debate amid the latest speculation about Schumacher's future.

Undoubtedly, 37-year-old Schumacher has contemplated retirement, admitting - for example - on Thursday that he will consult with wife Corinna as he makes a decision for 2007 and beyond.

But Hakkinen, who is also 37 but quit F1 four years ago before returning in the German 'DTM' series, told the Mirror: "The first time you think 'shall I retire?' you should do it.

"Otherwise it will stick in your mind for the rest of your career."

Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan agrees with Mika, telling Autosport that the 'only thought in Michael's head will be wanting to retire as champion'.

Schumacher, meanwhile, has been giving his own brand of advice to F1's next generation. In a news conference in Italy, the seven time world champion said that if Valentino Rossi decided to leave MotoGP and switch full-time to Ferrari, 'he would have options to (do just that)'.

"I guess it is in his hands, if he wants it or not," the German added. "It's up to him."

Flibster · 13 Jan 2006 at 14:31

'You Can't Go on Promising and Under-delivering'

David Richards, who first signed Jenson Button to the Brackley based team for 2003, says the English driver must now start to deliver the wins in 2006.

The former BAR boss accused Button, 25, of making 'hollow promises' on the road to a winless record after 100 career grands prix.

"You can't go on promising and under-delivering," Richards told Reuters at the Autosport International in Birmingham on Thursday.

Under Richards' leadership, the Honda works team finished second in the 2004 constructors' chase, while Jenson Button collected a sackful of podiums.

But with Nick Fry in charge last year, the team floundered with the '007' car and was even banned for two races after a run-in with the governing body.

'DR' also criticised the new management for signing such a long term deal with Button. Reportedly, the driver is now tied to Honda until the close of 2010.

Again referring to Jenson's questionable race record, Richards called the decision a 'brave' move that could fail.

Flibster · 13 Jan 2006 at 14:36

We Only Started to Hear V10 Complaints After Red Bull Bought Minardi

Scuderia Toro Rosso principal Franz Tost has played down the importance of the V8-V10 'equivalency' debate.

It is a thorny topic in pitlane these days, with all V8-powered players worried that - even with rev-limits and air restrictors - the team's Cosworth V10 could be the most powerful on the 2006 grid.

"I don't understand it," Austria's Tost, formerly with BMW, said. "Everyone agreed to this regulation but then we only started to hear about (the problem) after Red Bull bought Minardi."

Indeed, several opponents agree that while cash-strapped Minardi' use of a V10 would not really have been a problem, 'STR' is now a well-funded F1 foe.

But Tost doesn't think the team's V10 will be at such an advantage, anyway.

"At lower speeds there are some benefits," he admitted, "but the V8 more than makes up for it in the straight line."

Flibster · 13 Jan 2006 at 14:37

Aguri still awaiting for green light

Friday the thirteenth will come and go with no word about Super Aguri's official team entry for the new season.

Although the fledgling Japanese team had hoped to get the governing body's green light this week, there is - according to reports - a hold-up that is not related to the successful lodging of the $48 million FIA bond.

As such, no news is expected now until the first days of next week, even if Aguri Suzuki's Honda-powered squad is ultimately expected to get the go-ahead.

Flibster · 13 Jan 2006 at 14:37

Monteiro's seat not guaranteed?

With the launch of a new official website, new fears about Tiago Monteiro's unconfirmed spot at the Midland-owned 'MF1' team have arisen.

Not only is the Portuguese driver missing from the team profile section, unlike confirmed driver Christijan Albers, his backers - including 'Galp' - is not featured in the sponsor area.

The new website can be found at http://www.midlandf1.com

Flibster · 13 Jan 2006 at 14:38

New aero chief at BMW Sauber

The BMW Sauber F1 Team is boosting its aerodynamics division: in mid-March, 53-year-old Willem Toet is set to take over the reins at the department based in Hinwil, Switzerland.

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen: “Signing up Willem Toet marks a key step in the expansion of the BMW Sauber F1 Team’s aerodynamics department at Hinwil. Willem Toet looks back on more than 20 years of Formula One experience in this field and will find in Hinwil a first-rate wind tunnel and exceptional computer facilities. He will support us in the further expansion of the department’s staff and will provide input for the design of the car for season 2007.”

Toet on his new assignment: “I’m really looking forward to the job. Any development phase is by nature very intensive and affords a lot of opportunities. I will be doing my utmost to help the BMW Sauber F1 Team on the road to success.”

Willem Toet was born in Amsterdam (NLD) on 29th March 1952. He grew up in Australia where, after completing his degree, he began his professional path with the Ford Motor Company. From 1977 he focused his career exclusively on motor racing, initially working on touring cars, Formula 2 and Formula Ford racers. In 1982 he moved to England to work for the sports car racing team of Ray Mallock.

1985 marked the start of his Formula One career with the then Toleman Team, later to become Benetton. At the end of 1994 he joined Ferrari and spent four years in Italy as their aerodynamics chief. He returned to England in 1999 to become senior aerodynamicist at British American Racing (now Honda Racing F1 Team).

Flibster · 13 Jan 2006 at 14:38

'06 rules 'will help Ferrari' - Massa

New scarlet signing Felipe Massa has confessed that the FIA's latest rule changes 'will help' Ferrari.

Speaking to the press at the traditional Ferrari winter event in the Italian dolomites, the young Brazilian referred to the scrapping of the one-tyre per grand prix rule.

Under the 2005 regime, Bridgestone-tyred Ferrari won just a single race against Michelin rivals -- the all-Bridgestone Indy farce.

"There have not been many rules in recent years that have helped us," Massa, 24, told reporters, "but this does."

New boy Felipe's opinion is not one that teammate Michael Schumacher openly shares, although he does admit that the red cars will at least no longer run out of rubber at the end of races.

The German, 37, told Der Spiegel: "But if we're still one second behind in qualifying, changing tyres during the race won't do us much good. "We have to improve on our own strength."

Massa, however, says that he is already noticing an improvement with Bridgestone's latest breed of '06 tyre. His testing teammate Marc Gene, a Spaniard, agrees with Massa: "In fact, we are a bit ahead of where we expected to be," he explained, "although there is still work to do."