2005/2006 F1 News and Testing.

Flibster · 29 Dec 2005 at 18:20

Rossi clears path for F1 switch?

Valentino Rossi's Yamaha team in MotoGP has split with long time cigarette sponsor Gauloises.

Some observers think the Italian rider just doesn't want to power tobacco logos around the motorcycle tracks of the world. But he has proved happy to test the heavily Marlboro-sponsored Ferrari formula one car.

So, other observers are making the link between Altadis' blue-clad cigarette brand and that of rival Altria's Marlboro.

It is likely that 26-year-old Rossi will spearhead his Yamaha duties next year with a comprehensive Ferrari test programme -- and therein, perhaps, laid the troublesome tobacco clash.

It was even reported in August this year that Altria had asked Rossi to sever his ties with Altadis-owned Gauloises.

Flibster · 29 Dec 2005 at 18:22

Japanese tracks to merge

At a time when Spa Francorchamps and Hockenheim are experiencing serious financial difficulties, at has been revealed that Suzuka Circuitland and Twin Ring Motegi - both owned by Honda - are to merge, later this year, forming a new company, Mobilityland Co. Ltd.

This will benefit both tracks as the two circuits will now be run by the same management team, which will reduce costs

Following approval at a recent stockholders meeting, Mobilityland Co. Ltd will become a whole subsidiary of the Honda Motor Co.

timbob · 29 Dec 2005 at 21:29

All these rule changes are getting ridiculous!

Engine has to last 3 races, if you have to change it, you have an increased minumum weight... If it lasts 3 and you use it in a 4th, you have a reduced minumum weight, but if you total your gearbox in a crash (or are rear-ended by someone and it breaks.....), minimum weight goes up again. Who on earth thought up all these stupid weight changing ideas? All it means is that the teams with the biggest budgets producing the fastest and most reliable cars anyway are going to get a lower minimum weight as the other less well financially off teams struggle with unreliebility, *and* increased weight to make them even more uncompetitive. Similar faffing about with weight and ballast, and other sorts of silly rules was what (imho) begun the decline into obscurity of the BTCC about 7 or 8 years ago.

Innovation (as has been said) is practically going to be killed off completely - ensuring we'll still be seeing pretty much carbon copies of today's cars in 10 or 15 years time. Imagine if the powers that be had tried to stifle creativity 25 years ago. All the great and innovative cars of the past: Lotus 25, 49, 79 etc., The Brabham fan car, Ferrari 312, the McLaren's of the late 80s, williams FW14B from 1992.... In 10 years time, we'll still be idolising these cars - as no more innovative, all conquering cars are going to be allowed. What a way to kill a sport.

I think come 2009, or 2010, there's going to be *another* huge rethink when the FIA realise they're killing F1, teams start to leave, viewing figures plummet and spectators leave the circuits in droves.

Hoorah for the GP Masters, and A1GP series! Boo to F1!!

Vertigo · 31 Dec 2005 at 10:22

F1 Season Review on ITV1 at 11:30 today, FWIW.

Probably be rather boring but some might appreciate the heads-up

Flibster · 31 Dec 2005 at 11:03

Already got the HTPC set to record.

2 dvd's per race + extra couple for interesting stuff that I've caught throughout the year...

Eeeep...

Simon/~Flibster

Flibster · 31 Dec 2005 at 11:44

Ooooh...

DC that was a bit below the belt..

"At least when I sign for a team you know I'll drive for them"

Bit of a forced smile from Button there.

Flibster · 3 Jan 2006 at 12:15

WilliamsF1 signs Wurz

WilliamsF1 today confirmed the appointment of Alex Wurz as the team's official test and reserve driver for the forthcoming Formula One season.

Alex will support Mark Webber & Nico Rosberg in their testing duties and, as official reserve driver, will deputise should either race driver not be able to fulfil racing duties for any reason.

However, Wurz's most significant contribution will be as the team's Friday driver, assisting with the vital preparation and set-up of the FW28 prior to each Grand Prix.

Alex brings three full seasons of racing experience with Benetton and five years of senior testing credentials with McLaren to the team, significantly augmenting the depth and breadth of talent and skill in Williams' 2006 driver line-up.

At the conclusion of contractual negotiations today, Frank Williams said,"I am delighted with the agreement we have reached with Alex. Everyone at Williams believes he will bring significant improvements to the team's performance, on Grand Prix Fridays in particular, and to our testing programme in general."

For his part, Wurz commented, "Ever since I met Frank Williams during an International Touring Car meeting in 1996, I have wanted to drive for his team and I am delighted that the opportunity has now arisen. I feel full of energy to be part of Williams' 2006 season attack and look forward to working closely with Mark and Nico, they are quick drivers and I believe that together we will achieve great results. The testing and Friday driver role is a responsibility I am familiar with and I will throw all my experience into it. I cannot wait to start."

Flibster · 3 Jan 2006 at 12:16

Wheldon Astonished with F1 Pay

You would be forgiven for thinking that England's Dan Wheldon felt a little forlorn over his Christmas turkey.

The 27-year-old - who in 2005 triumphed at the Indy 500, conquered America's premier open wheel series and earned nearly $4 million - negotiated with Honda, Williams and BMW-Sauber ahead of the new F1 season.

The closest he came to a deal was with the latter team, but they ultimately refused to guarantee him a race drive -- even if he agreed to spend the whole of 2006 as test driver.

In F1, Wheldon has found a sport that he says defies logic in signing drivers based on how much money they can bring to a team, rather than how much talent runs through their genes.

But he told UK's The Times daily newspaper that he enjoys a very happy and successful career across the Atlantic.

He said: "It astonishes me that people pay up to $5 million for a (F1) test drive.

"It makes no sense to me."

"Of course, I want to try formula one but I have learnt from being in America that it is not the end of my career."

Flibster · 3 Jan 2006 at 12:20

Contractual Chains Come Off Barrichello

Rubens Barrichello is preparing to kick off his new Honda powered career.

On Sunday (1 January), the Brazilian's 2006 contract moved into first gear, after Ferrari refused to release him for the November-December tests.

"Ideally we would have liked him to have started before Christmas," Honda boss Nick Fry admits, "but sadly that hasn't been possible."

33-year-old Barrichello, following a six-season stint as Michael Schumacher's number two, will make his Honda test debut at the Jerez circuit next week, at the wheel of a V10-powered BAR-Honda car.

His new contract gives him equal number one status with Brackley incumbent Jenson Button.

Fry said: "Rubens brings with him the experience of not only being a nine time race winner but also of six years with a championship winning team."

Flibster · 3 Jan 2006 at 12:34

Code:
TEAM LAUNCH DATES

You may still be recovering from your New Year blues, but the Formula 1 teams face a breakneck schedule to get their cars ready in time for the new season – or rather, for the testing treadmill that precedes it.

We've compiled a list of launch dates when the teams will officially unveil their new cars.

Code:

January 14 Toyota January 16 BMW Late January Ferrari (date TBC) January 25 Honda January 27 Williams January 31 Renault February 3 Midland March 9 Red Bull March 9 Toro Rosso TBC McLaren TBC Super Aguri

Flibster · 3 Jan 2006 at 17:06

Belgians close to agreeing Spa deal?

According to reports, the future of the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa Francorchamps is "within days" of being secured.

The future of the race was put in doubt after race organizers filed for bankruptcy, as a consequence of poor ticket sales over the last two years, and the ever increasing financial demands of Formula One Management.

After baling out the race in 2005, the Wallonian regional government refused to invest any further funding. Meanwhile, Bernie Ecclestone, Formula One's commercial rights holder, merely said that a contract is a contract and that the deal with Spa is binding.

In today's edition of La Libre, a source claimed that the issue is close to being settled, following a climb down by the Wallonian regional government, and the intervention of Ecclestone, who has seemingly shortened the current contract from fifteen to three years.

The paper also claims that Wallonia will provide the necessary funding to upgrade the track, and assist in the underwriting of the event.

Flibster · 3 Jan 2006 at 17:07

Ferrari to Sign Replacement for McLaren-Bound Sponsor

McLaren’s signing of longtime Ferrari backers Vodafone to be its title sponsor beginning in 2007 was seen as a coup for Ron Dennis’ squad in the F1 paddock, but the scarlet team reportedly already has a replacement for the departing phone company.

South Africa’s De Beers, the world’s largest diamond mining and retailing company, is set to be officially unveiled as the Scuderia’s new associate backer in the coming weeks. Often accused of monopoly by its competitors, De Beers is believed to control about 80 percent of the world’s diamond trade.

Valued at circa $40m per year, Vodafone’s deal with Ferrari expires at the end of the 2006 season. The company is the team’s largest backer after title sponsors Philip Morris/Marlboro.

Flibster · 3 Jan 2006 at 17:09

Toyota aims to win in 2006

Panasonic Toyota Racing has made it clear that 2006 will mark the turning point in the team’s winless history. Their main target is to win at lest one race and to finish in the top 3 in the constructors. Drivers Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher are now focused on the team’s biggest mission yet.

Toyota’s general manager of F1 operations Richard Cregan told Setanta that the team has higher expectations for itself than that of Toyota Japan. "We probably produce more pressure internally to be successful than we ever feel from Japan," Cregan said. "I think the teams to beat in 2006 will be Renault and McLaren and we're definitely going for our first race win this year."

But Cregan stated what the team’s aims were for 2006; "We want to score more points and more podiums," he said. “That will be more difficult but our overall target is to win at least one race this season.”

Toyota’s Ralf Schumacher is also keen on taking Toyota’s first victory in 2006, with the TF106 working to his liking and on the back foot of a strong end to this 2005 campaign. "We want to be finish in the top three in the championship and I want to win our first race in 2006," Schumacher told Sport Bild.”

Flibster · 3 Jan 2006 at 17:10

Wurz can’t wait to start new Williams role

Alexander Wurz can’t wait to kick off his new role as third driver at the Cosworth powered WilliamsF1 team after signing a new contract with the Grove based squad this week. The Austrian, who has spent the past five years with McLaren, his time with the Woking squad coming to a close last week after they signed DTM champion Gary Paffett to the role, admitted that he has always wanted to be a part of Williams and is thrilled that his dream has come to fruition…..

“Ever since I met Frank Williams during an International Touring Car meeting in 1996, I have wanted to drive for his team and I am delighted that the opportunity has now arisen,’ Alex said. “I feel full of energy to be part of Williams’ 2006 season attack and look forward to working closely with Mark and Nico, they are quick drivers and I believe that together we will achieve great results.”

Due to their fifth placed finish in the 2005 championship season, Alex will be undertaking a routine Friday role, something that McLaren won’t be doing in 2006. therefore the decision to move from Woking to Grove makes complete sense as his services will now be fully utilized….

“The testing and Friday driver role is a responsibility I am familiar with and I will throw all my experience into it. I cannot wait to start.”

rpstewart · 6 Jan 2006 at 08:38

Hmm, lost a few bits of news in the server kerfuffle. Let me go look in the back and see what I can find...

Newey allowed to join Red Bull earlier
Red Bull Racing will get their hands on Adrian Newey almost two months earlier than expected, autosport.com has learned, with the designer now due to join them on Monday.

The former McLaren technical director, who is switching to Red Bull Racing as chief technical officer, had originally planned to start work at Milton Keynes at the end of February.

However, with his contract at McLaren coming to an end this week and his former employers giving consent to the change of plans, Newey will now start working for Red Bull Racing at the start of next week.

The new date will be a bonus for Red Bull Racing, as Newey will be able to provide some input into development on their new Ferrari-powered RB2 before the start of the season.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with this week's Autosport, Newey said it will be a strange experience for him joining a new team when the car he helped design, the McLaren MP4-21, is already complete.

"For me it's obviously going to be a bit of a funny year, because I will not now be involved with the development of the car I was most heavily involved in," he said. "But I've been in that position before, when I went from Williams to McLaren (in 1997)."

Newey has said he is excited about the prospect of working with Mark Smith, Red Bull Racing's technical director

"Mark Smith very much enjoys the technical management side of the engineering structure, while I really enjoy working in a hands-on way with the engineers, and also try to spend a reasonable amount of time myself at the drawing board or whatever. I think we can have a very good partnership."

Newey has also told this week's Autosport that David Coulthard's involvement at the team was key in his decision to turn his back on McLaren.

Karthikeyan still aiming to remain in F1
Narain Karthikeyan has not given up on securing a role in Formula One next season, despite being beaten to the third driver role at Williams by Alexander Wurz.

The Indian had been expected to land the test role at Williams after testing twice for the team and having substantial sponsorship backing, but the Grove-based outfit swooped for Wurz when it was clear the Austrian was out of contract at McLaren.

That has left Karthikeyan without any chance of a Friday role next year, although there are still likely to be other testing opportunities. Williams are still in discussions with him about a second testing role, while the Indian has also been linked with a role at Red Bull Racing.

Team boss Frank Williams said on Thursday that Karthikeyan, who became his country's first Grand Prix driver when he raced for Jordan last year, could yet play a role for the former champions.

"Alex's appointment as Williams's official test and reserve driver does not necessarily mean that the team has no additional role for Narain," he said. "The team and Narain are still in dialogue and the possibility of a second testing role for him still exists."

Karthikeyan's manager Pier Hunisett believes it is important that his driver maintains a presence in F1 this year so as to keep himself in the shop window for a race drive in 2007.

"The objective for 2006 has to be to keep Narain involved in Formula One throughout this season, as a lot is likely to change for 2007," Hunisett told Autosport. "As long as he keeps his profile up he could be in a good position by the end of the year."

FIA waits for Super Aguri's deposit
Motor racing's governing body will confirm Super Aguri's entry to next year's Formula One World Championship as soon as the team lodge their $48 million (USD) deposit, autosport.com has learned.

The outfit have now resubmitted their application to enter next year's Championship, which included approval from all of their rivals to support the late entry, and now the only hurdle to be overcome is the bond guarantee.

The failure to pay the $48 million bond, which all new teams must lodge with the FIA, was the reason why the original team's entry was rejected late last year.

The FIA have been assured, however, that the deposit will be lodged early next week - which will then allow it to confirm that there will be 11 teams on the grid next year.

An FIA spokesman told autosport.com: "The FIA has received official notification that all the competing teams have approved the late entry of Super Aguri to the 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship.

"We have also been informed that the required financial guarantee will be presented to the FIA early next week. A formal announcement of the new team's entry will be made on receipt of the guarantee."

The FIA's imminent approval of Super Aguri's entry comes amid suggestions that the outfit will likely commit their long-term future to F1, rather than a manufacturers' breakaway championship.

This view is supported by the fact that the team needed the assistance of Formula One commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone in securing the support of all of their rival teams - something that he would unlikely do unless Aguri had made it clear they wanted to remain in F1 for the long term.

Any move by Aguri to commit to F1 has been viewed by some paddock insiders as significant because the team are backed by Honda, who are still publicly involved in the Grand Prix Manufacturers' Association breakaway plans.

Toyota deny Raikkonen offer
The Toyota Formula One team have moved to deny that they have offered Finn Kimi Raikkonen a contract to race with them.

Raikkonen has been linked with Ferrari and more recently with Toyota after the McLaren team announced they have signed World Champion Fernando Alonso from the 2007 season.

Raikkonen's contract with McLaren expires at the end of this year and the Finn is yet to announced his plans.

Toyota, who were also rumoured to be seeking to lure Alonso before the McLaren deal was revealed, have denied having offered Raikkonen a contract and said they are focused on this year's championship.

Toyota Motorsport president John Howett said: "Much like the rumours concerning Toyota and Fernando Alonso some weeks ago, there is absolutely no truth in the rumour that Toyota has offered a contract or payment for the services of Kimi Raikkonen.

"We are only just at the start of our 2006 season preparations and, together with our race drivers Ralf Schumacher and Jarno Trulli, we will do our utmost to take Toyota another notch up the constructors' championship this year."

I'll redo my rant about new style qualifying once I get some coffee.

rpstewart · 6 Jan 2006 at 08:41

Slightly off topic but some sad news.

Organisers postpone Indonesia round
The next round of the A1 Grand Prix series at the Sentul circuit, Indonesia, has been postponed.

The race, planned for next weekend, has been canned following the death of Dubai Emir Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the uncle of series founder Sheikh Maktoum, who died yesterday.

Series organisers say they are working with the circuit and the government to identify an appropriate replacement date.

Maktoum's nation of Dubai, where the last round of the series was held, has gone into 40 days of national mourning following the news, and the series organisers felt it appropriate to postpone the event during this period.

One option for a replacement date is the weekend of February 12, which was originally scheduled to host the Brazilian round. This was cancelled last month after problems with the circuit specification.

Tony Teixeira, CEO of A1 Grand Prix said: "The entire staff, team owners and associates of the A1 Grand Prix family mourn the loss of a great visionary and benevolent ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

"While difficult logistically, we felt it important to observe a respectable period of mourning for this beloved family member of our founder, president and chairman, Sheikh Maktoum. Condolences and sympathies are respectfully offered to all the peoples of Dubai."

An official statement paid tribute to Maktoum: "He was instrumental in overseeing many of Dubai's initial infrastructure projects including the Dubai Airport, the installation of the country's electricity grid as well as numerous schools and modern residential districts.

"He also funded a great number of charitable projects including orphanages in the developing world and the construction of schools both inside and outside the UAE."

However some brighter developments

Indonesia round moved to February
The postponed Indonesian round of the A1 Grand Prix championship has been confirmed for the weekend of February 10-12, 2006.

The event was moved from the original date of January 14-16 to mourn the death of Dubai Emir Sheik Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the uncle of series founder Sheik Maktoum.

The date was available after the original Brazilian round scheduled for that date was cancelled following problems with the circuit specification, and has been chosen for the event at the Sentul circuit.

Spectator tickets already purchased for the event will be valid for the rearranged event. Fans can also claim a full refund if they are unable to attend the new date.

Remaining A1 GP rounds:

27-29 January Durban, South Africa
10-12 February Sentul Circuit, Indonesia
24-26 February Parque Fundidora Monterrey, Mexico
10-12 March 2006 Laguna Seca, California, USA
31 March-2 April Shanghai International Circuit, China

Flibster · 6 Jan 2006 at 09:27

Lost quite a lot of stuff - will be checking the cache files later.

At least they haven't cancelled Indonesia completely - just delayed it.

anyway...

Irvine: Schumacher Has No Balls!

Eddie Irvine has made it clear that Michael Schumacher is too old and has no balls to win again. Irvine, Schumacher's ex-teammate at Ferrari does not believe that Michael ever had any balls whatsoever.

"Michael is up against drivers half his age and with twice the balls. Michael's never had big balls. He wasn't like Senna, he takes calculated risks. He's not a great poker player.

His problem is he knows the other two guys have got an ace because they're in their twenties, so I think that's going to be his weakness from now on. Michael has monopolised the whole sport but now he's got two guys that are probably as quick as him."

These are bold words coming from someone who has never really accomplished anything in Formula 1, commenting on someone who has accomplished everything.

Joe T · 6 Jan 2006 at 18:55

Anyone know why Silverstone have removed all of their testing days from their race calender?

Cheers

Flibster · 9 Jan 2006 at 10:19

No idea why they've done that...

However...

Murray Walker returns to F1

The legendary British Formula One commentator Murray Walker will make his return to the Formula One paddock this season. Murry has signed up with the BBC to join the 'Five Live' team and will visit a number of races.

"Since I retired back in 2001 everywhere I go people ask me; 'Do you miss it?' 'And I say, 'Yes, of course I miss it' If you enjoy doing something as much as I enjoyed it and you stop doing it, you're going to miss it," Walker told The Times.

Walker started his career in 1948 and made commentary for the BBC when the first Formula One races were held back in 1950.

Oh yes!!

He's back!

Decisions decisions - watch and listen to F1 on ITV with Martin Brundle and the male chicken...

Or...Watch on ITV and listen to Radio 5 live with MURRAY!!!!

Errrrrr.....May try to do both... Dual audio channels on my dvd's....maybe..

Simon/~Flibster

Flibster · 9 Jan 2006 at 13:41

Stoddart on McLaren, the GPMA and other issues

For some, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to step out the spotlight, that is fame, once one has felt its warm glow.

When Eddie Jordan sold his team to Alex Shnaider and turned his back on F1, he became just another multi-millionaire, with lots of money to spend, but little of any real importance with which to fill his time. The same could be said of Eddie Irvine, who from time to time vents his spleen, but, as times goes on, finds less and less people willing to listen.

Having sold Minardi to Red Bull, and with his new airline (OzJet) not proving to be quite the success he had hoped for, Paul Stoddart is clearly another former inhabitant of 'Planet Paddock' missing the limelight and ever available for a quick soundbite.

In a recent chat with BBC's Radio Five Live, the Australian gave his opinion on a number of issues, including the proposed breakaway series, and the 2006 Formula One World Championship.

Of the breakaway threat, spearheaded by the manufacturers that comprise the Grand Prix Manufacturers Association (GPMA) and several leading F1 teams, for whom, until the end of last season, Stoddart was unofficial spokesman, he says: The manufacturers are having a tough time with Mosley at the moment. We all hope there will be a united F1 going forward from 2008, but we cannot quite close the chapter on that book yet.

"It is certainly looking promising with some of the recent moves," he added, referring to WilliamsF1's decision to 'sign up' to the new Concorde Agreement, "but you would not completely write off there being some turmoil ahead."

Looking ahead to the new season, the Australian said: "I think a lot is going to depend on how Ferrari reacts in the next 12 months. Clearly they have been the dominant force in five out of the last six seasons and no doubt a lot of that is down to Michael.

"But there is also a pretty good team of people from Jean Todt to Rory Byrne, Ross Brawn and so many people that made Ferrari a good team to be in," he added. "They lost the plot last year though. A lot of people blamed Bridgestone but it wasn't entirely Bridgestone's fault. And I don't think anyone thinks Michael is less of a driver, but he is clearly getting older now and Fernando is the young talent coming through.

"I think it makes a lot of sense," he said of Fernando Alonso's move to McLaren, scheduled for 2007. "Ferrari is a small car company, losing sponsors, who perhaps have had their best time. It is hard to turn down an offer from McLaren that is stable and prosperous."

"Ron Dennis and his people are not messing around," he added. "They are making statements not just with Fernando but with Vodafone and various other things that they are contenders for the championship. I think it is going to make a good partnership."

No doubt, with little else to fill his time, and the desire to be back in the full glare of the fame spotlight that is F1, we are going to hear a lot more from the former Minardi boss over the months and years to come.

Stoddart has already made it clear that he misses F1, and by all accounts still has a desire to return to the paddock.

However, since he still owns the Minardi name - as far as racing is concerned - if he remains that passionate about racing, which consists of more than F1, wouldn't it be an idea to consider attempting a new project... how about Minardi at Le Mans. Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?