2005/2006 F1 News and Testing.

Flibster · 9 Jan 2006 at 13:49

Tom Walkinshaw returns

One of the biggest names in the motorsport and automotive industries will make his return later this week (Thursday).

Tom Walkinshaw, former boss of the Arrows F1 team, which ran into financial problems and withdrew halfway through the 2002 World Championship season, has been out of the spotlight for three years now, but the man behind so many motorsport success stories: Jaguar's meteoric successes in Sportscar racing, Volvo's all-conquering British Touring Car campaign victories in the Le Mans 24 Hours, the TWR-conceived Aston Martin DB7, Formula One Championship success with Benetton and countless wins with Holden in Australian saloon car racing, is back in business. With a formidable reputation in the world of motorsport engineering, Tom Walkinshaw is returning to the arena in which he excelled for so many years.

Later this week, the newly-formed Tom Walkinshaw Group (TWG) will announce two exciting projects: one in motorsport and one in the road-going automotive sector.

Flibster · 9 Jan 2006 at 13:50

Honda snaps up sponsor deal

The Honda Racing F1 Team is has announced its first new commercial association of 2006 after concluding a long-term agreement with Snap-on Tools, who also become official tool consultant to the team.

Snap-on Incorporated is the leading global developer, manufacturer and marketer of tool, diagnostic and equipment solutions for professional tool users. Product lines include hand and power tools, diagnostics and shop equipment, tool storage products, diagnostics software and other solutions for transportation-service, industrial, government, education and other commercial applications.

In addition to providing tool hardware and consultancy to the team, Snap-on Tools branding will be incorporated into the Honda Racing trackside environment and will feature within the race car livery of the RA106 at selected races throughout the season.

Nick Fry, Chief Executive Officer of the Honda Racing F1 Team, commented: "We are delighted to welcome Snap-on Tools to our team at such an exciting time for us. The acquisition by Honda has given the entire team renewed momentum and we are optimistic that the 2006 season will be a successful one for ourselves and our partners. We are delighted to be associated with Snap-on as the leading global developer of tools. In addition to the supply of tools, Snap-on will provide a highly sophisticated consultancy and diagnostics service to our team and in particular to our brand new state-of-the-art wind tunnel, which will require the highly specialised precision tooling for which Snap-on is renowned when it comes on stream later this season. We look forward to sharing many successes with Snap-on - both on and off the race track - in 2006 and beyond."

Terry Barcham, Managing Director of Snap-on Tools, said: "We have had a long and fruitful relationship with Honda over many years and we are delighted to form this association with the Honda Racing F1 Team. This will be a valuable showcase for our tools and equipment and we very much hope that our input will help the team towards their best season ever."

Flibster · 9 Jan 2006 at 14:04

Wurz Hints at Williams Race Drive

Last week’s surprising announcement that Austrian Alex Wurz was signed as Williams F1’s third driver for 2006, when India’s Narain Karthikeyan was believed to have the inside line for the seat, could suddenly make a lot of sense in ‘07, as Wurz has hinted that he could land a race drive with the squad in the future.

"My current situation with Williams is simply perfect," he told Austrian news agency APA. "There is no better contract for a third driver - both financially and concerning the future. This is a special challenge for me.”

Williams will have Mark Webber and rookie Nico Rosberg as its racers this season. However, McLaren’s signing of champion Fernando Alonso for 2007 will trigger a chain reaction in the driver’s market that could have Webber replacing the Spaniard at Renault - the Australian’s manager is Renault team boss Flavio Briatore. In that case, Wurz would be the ideal experienced driver to groom Rosberg in the German’s sophomore season.

"I want to help Williams as much as I can, so the team returns to the top," the 31-year old concluded.

F1 action kicks off in 2006 this week, with group testing sessions at Jerez. Besides MF1 Racing, all teams are expected to participate.

Flibster · 9 Jan 2006 at 14:05

Schu could switch team in 2007

At the same time as warning Ferrari to up its game, Michael Schumacher has refused to rule out switching to another team in 2007.

The seven time world champion, who managed only to win the embarrassing US grand prix last year with the F2005 car, told Der Spiegel magazine that it is '99 per cent certain' that he would race out his career in red.

"But you always have to leave even the most remote possibilities open," the German cautioned.

37-year-old Schumacher's claim came in the same interview as advising Maranello based Ferrari to take on more staff, and warning that he could quit if not given a competitive racer in 2006.

He suggested that 'carelessness' played a part in Ferrari's fall from grace. "After 84 grand prix victories," he explained, "it is hard to stay motivated if eighth or tenth in the races is the maximum goal. "That also applies to the team."

But Michael admitted that even he could have worked harder last year. Thirteen years older than the new champion, Schumacher confessed that he 'could have done more' to be physically prepared for season '05.

He admitted: "Maybe that would have added another tenth of a second to the race car. As one gets older, things do not get simpler."

Flibster · 9 Jan 2006 at 14:06

Bernie doubts Schumi will quit

Even though Michael Schumacher says he may quit F1 if Ferrari don't start winning again, Bernie Ecclestone doubts he'll follow through with the threat.

In a recent interview with Der Spiegel, Schumi revealed that although he's determined to start winning again, if it doesn't happen he will consider leaving F1.

"If I can't win races and challenge for the title I don't think I'll want to stay around much longer," the seven-times World Champion said.

However, according Ecclestone, there's no need for such talk because he believes the German can and will return to winning ways.

"Schumacher is a winner - I don't see him even thinking about retiring," the F1 supremo told The People.

"He races because he enjoys it and has gone beyond the money barrier. He's one of the best drivers ever and just because he wasn't in the running for the Championship last year doesn't mean he won't win again."

"If anything it'll make him even more determined to come back. He still has the desire and speed to win Championships."

Flibster · 9 Jan 2006 at 14:07

Montagny exit a mistake

Giancarlo Fisichella has questioned his employer's decision to let team test driver Franck Montagny leave Renault.

The incumbent Roman race driver called Montagny, replaced in 2006 by young Finn Heikki Kovalainen after three years of service, 'the best test driver' he's met.

32-year-old Fisichella said in reference to the ousted Frenchman, who failed in negotiations to land a Midland drive this year: "I don't know how good he is at racing, but in testing he's the best."

At last sight, 27-year-old Montagny was courting a race drive in an American Champ Car.

"It's a mistake to lose him, I think," Fisichella told the latest edition of Britain's Autosport magazine.

Flibster · 9 Jan 2006 at 14:08

Cloud still lingers over Spa

Although Spa Francorchamps' embattled spot on the F1 calendar recently looked as good as rescued, it now seems that a grey cloud still lingers over the popular Belgian grand prix.
With the race's promoter broke, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone had stepped in and would promote the race himself, reports said. But the latest question-mark involves $18m in renovations to the ageing facility, including a new pit and paddock complex, demanded by the 75-year-old.

Although the hold-ups may be related to regional government funding, it is also suggested that the planning stage is simply taking longer than expected.

For example, an initial plan was to bulldoze the first 'La Source' hairpin, but Bernie objected. The latest plan, according to reports in La Derniere Heure Les Sports newspaper, could involve the modification of the final 'Bus Stop' chicane.

LEAVE THE DAMN TRACK ALONE!!!

Flibster · 9 Jan 2006 at 14:08

Hockenheim race still in doubt

The future of Hockenheim's annual German grand prix is still under a gloomy cloud.
Hockenheim is missing about $2m in annual running income, and could run out of cash completely in April 2006 -- four months ahead of the July event.

It was reported late last year that the circuit was likely to be saved from bankruptcy by the local state of Baden-Wurttemberg. However, the region's Prime Minister - Guenther Oettinger - has told the major daily 'Bild' newspaper that the embattled venue in south western Germany can only be saved by 'private investors'.

Among plans to save the historic race involve sharing the annual privilege with European grand prix venue Nurburgring, or selling the circuit's naming rights.

Flibster · 9 Jan 2006 at 14:10

Newey: car is more important than the driver

The new technical chief at Red Bull Racing, Adrian Newey, thinks that the team first has to focus on improving its car, rather than trying to pull in a superstar driver. It has been speculated a lot lately that the team is interested in signing up Michael Schumacher.

"At some stage that (attracting a great driver) will obviously be our aspiration, but initially we'll want to continue to work with David and young drivers, be that Tonio Liuzzi, Christian Klien or whoever else, and bring the car forward," Newey told Autosport magazine.

"Then it becomes much easier to attract one of the top drivers. Until you're at that point, you can't really do it. Regardless of salary, a top-five driver would only want to join a team if he thought he had a sensible shot of winning races and hopefully championships. If he's attracted for some other reason, such as finance, then we don't want him."

Flibster · 9 Jan 2006 at 14:10

Busy busy busy today....

Flibster · 9 Jan 2006 at 15:30

McLaren to test in interim orange livery

A change to orange for McLaren in testing

McLaren Mercedes is returning to the track this Wednesday at Jerez for the first test of 2006.

Test drivers Pedro de la Rosa and Gary Paffett will be at the wheel of two interim MP4-20's, which will be running in an orange livery, prior to the launch of the new McLaren Mercedes livery in mid-February.

The orange is synonymous with the origins of McLaren, as the team ran its Formula One and CAN-AM racers in the colour for a number of years starting with the M5A in 1968.

This week marks the start of 28 intensive on-track test days currently scheduled for the team in Valencia, Barcelona, Imola and Jerez leading up to the opening race of the 2006 World Championship, the Bahrain Grand Prix, on Sunday 12th March.

Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya will be starting their programmes during the week commencing Monday 16th January.

Good good. Back to traditional orange for them - but 28 days testing in 2 months - bloody hell! :eek:

Flibster · 9 Jan 2006 at 15:39

and pictures of the McLaren

Remember - thats the MP4-20 with the V8 in the back - NOT the MP4-21

Dutch Guy · 9 Jan 2006 at 15:45

Shame about the orange, it's not bad but not as nice as last years colours.

Strange curved front wing though, it looks like someone bent it too far :confused:

Flibster · 9 Jan 2006 at 16:07

Dutch Guy said:
Shame about the orange, it's not bad but not as nice as last years colours.

Strange curved front wing though, it looks like someone bent it too far

It's only what they're using for testing - kind of a tradition. It's theit traditional McLaren colour - goes back To Brucey..

As for the wing - it was like that all last year :confused:

Just the black and silver scheme hid it well.

Simon/~Flibster

Dutch Guy · 9 Jan 2006 at 16:18

Flibster said:
As for the wing - it was like that all last year Just the black and silver scheme hid it well.

I know it looked like that, I just thought that the sides were still vertical and not at an angle, maybe the black/silver indeed made it less obvious.

rpstewart · 9 Jan 2006 at 19:39

Flibster said:
and pictures of the McLaren

Remember - thats the MP4-20 with the V8 in the back - NOT the MP4-21

Yikes you don't realise how flattering the black & silver colours were until you see it in orange, that thing has some serious curves!

I wonder what the new colours will be like - I'm betting more silver & less black.

Flibster · 9 Jan 2006 at 20:36

Well - if the current rumours are true - could be Vodaphone McLaren Mercedes for 06 rather than 07...

Depends on how well they can weasel out of the Ferrari contract.

Simon/~Flibster

rpstewart · 9 Jan 2006 at 21:02

Interesting Mr Bond....

It would fit the facts - they announced that the 2006/7 test programme would be done with the orange car, not the 2005/6 programme yet here we are with an orange MP4-20.

I'm assuming that Vodafone would have to buy out the contract but it may be cheap at the price rather than having another potentially poor year at Ferrari. That of course could leave Ferrari in a bit of a bind - up to $40 million short and very little time to line up a replacement who would certainly be looking to exploit a team desperate for cash.

Flibster · 9 Jan 2006 at 21:39

rpstewart said:
Interesting Mr Bond....

It would fit the facts - they announced that the 2006/7 test programme would be done with the orange car, not the 2005/6 programme yet here we are with an orange MP4-20.

I'm assuming that Vodafone would have to buy out the contract but it may be cheap at the price rather than having another potentially poor year at Ferrari. That of course could leave Ferrari in a bit of a bind - up to $40 million short and very little time to line up a replacement who would certainly be looking to exploit a team desperate for cash.

Certainly does - especially as when was the last time McLaren went for a Orange test car?

When they went with West and turned Silver, red and black. Could be an indication of whats happenign behidn the scenes

I reckon Vodaphone would need to pay them the full $40mill to get out - however they would lose any performance bonus due to them *although based on last year - what performance bonus...*

However - the Vodafone Mercedes DTM car looks great - hopefully the F1 car will look as good.

Simon/~Flibster

Flibster · 9 Jan 2006 at 21:39

Newey heads to Jerez

Having been released by McLaren 'early', Adrian Newey joined his new employers, Red Bull, today, and never one to let the grass grow under his feet, the Englishman is heading straight down to Jerez to oversee his new team's first test of the new year.

"I'm going down to Jerez to spend some time with the team and to see the new car," he told the Red Bull racing website. "It'll be nice to escape England in January and to be back at a race track again. I'm also looking forward to hearing the sound of these new V8 engines for the first time.

"I expect to spend my initial period with the team observing how things are done here," he continued, "getting to know people and finding my feet in this new environment.

"The technical team is very strong and has a good reputation, so my aim at the start will simply be to understand how Red Bull Racing operates."