2005/2006 F1 News and Testing.

[Flibster]

Ecclestone and GPMA moving closer to deal?

It appears that the five manufacturers that comprise the Grand Prix Manufacturers' Association (GPMA), are moving closer towards a deal with Bernie Ecclestone, which would assure the future of F1, as we now know it, and end the threat of a breakaway series.

German magazine Sportbild quoted Ecclestone as saying that a deal could be in place before the season opener in Bahrain.

Speaking to AP, Xander Heijnen, spokesman for the GPMA, said: "We've moved considerably forward in our talks and the chances of an agreement soon have grown significantly."

However, though many appear to be focussing on the financial side of the talks, there are numerous other issues regarding F1 that worry the manufacturers, one being the governance of the sport. In recent weeks, several prominent Motorsport Directors of F1 manufacturers have been critical of the way the FIA has changed the rules and its proposed plans for 2008.

Furthermore, its understood that the manufacturers feel that more should be done for the customers of the sport, namely the race fans, with the current debacle regarding the on-off Belgian Grand Prix being a prime example of how F1 lets the fans down.

Publicly, Ecclestone has always dismissed the threat of a breakaway, saying that it "never really had a chance", however, it's believed that privately he viewed the threat with growing concern.

 

[Flibster]

Flavio has another pop at McLaren

Renault team boss Flavio Briatore has said he’s got no problem with reigning champion Fernando Alonso going to rival outfit McLaren at the end of 2006.

But at the launch of Renault's new R28 in Monaco, the famed talent-spotter and driver manager repeated his accusation however that McLaren chief Ron Dennis was out-of-order to announce his poaching of Alonso with the 2006 campaign still to run.

"I believe it is just for a driver to want to change teams, to get new stimulation,” Briatore said in Gazzetta dello Sport this week.

“But I don't find it at all classy that another team announces the hiring of another driver one year in advance.”

McLaren announced in December that newly-crowned champion Alonso would drive for the team in 2007.

Briatore – in his dual role as Alonso’s manager and Renault’s team boss – had to then issue a public statement saying he’d had no role in the deal, and that Alonso had been acting on his own accord.

But Briatore is particularly angered by McLaren's quick announcement of the deal, as he believes the news was used as a mask for McLaren’s failure to lift the crown in 2005.

"There are some people who, to hide the problems of the press, throw themselves into the future,” he said.

Briatore has also played down suggestions that he may leave his role leading Renault's F1 team, following the announcement that Renault chairman Patrick Faure is leaving the French car firm at the end of the year.

"As long as I continue to enjoy myself, and I’m able to do this job well, then I will stay,” Briatore said.

“And, for the moment, it seems as if I am doing a better job than Ron Dennis and Frank Williams.”

 

[Flibster]

was just about to post the V10 bit.........
anymore insider info to let us know about?

Spoke to another couple of mates last night/this morning. Many teams were unimpressed with Rossi - considering he's had several behind closed doors test at Ferrari he did not perform up to scratch.

One of them was a Ferrari chap as well.

A frank and open discussion between Patrick & Mark then. Can't say I'm surprised, Patrick strikes me as the no nonsense, sort it out outside type.

Didn't see either of them with black eyes thoroughout last year

He is a very honest person though - if he thinks something is crap - he'll let you know about it. Usually vocally and reasonably loudly.

Frank is a little bit more diplomatic

Webber seems pretty open as well - especially when he wasn't happy. He deserves the car to be much better this year - he's an extremely quick driver.

 

[Flibster]

Was looking at the calender and thought why not post it so everyone can put the dates in their calender (if you haven't done it already)

12 March Bahrain Grand Prix
19 March Malaysian Grand Prix
02 April Australian Grand Prix
23 April San Marino Grand Prix
07 May European Grand Prix
14 May Spanish Grand Prix
28 May Monaco Grand Prix
11 June British Grand Prix
25 June Canadian Grand Prix
02 July United States Grand Prix
16 July French Grand Prix
30 July German Grand Prix
06 August Hungarian Grand Prix
27 August Turkish Grand Prix
10 September Italian Grand Prix
17 September Belgian Grand Prix
01 October Chinese Grand Prix
08 October Japanese Grand Prix
22 October Brazilian Grand Prix

Remeber - Belgium is still up in the air as is Germany...

They may or may not happen.

Actually - not too bothered about Germany after they killed the circuit - Belgium on the other hand..

Simon/~Flibster

 

[Flibster]

Renault may favour Fisichella

According to Giancarlo Fisichella, he and Renault teammate Fernando Alonso will both start 2006 from 'zero'.

But it's not really that simple. Firstly, Alonso is champion, and Fisichella a defeated 33-year-old 2005 teammate.

However, with Alonso off to McLaren next year and Renault looking towards the future, Italy's Fisichella might just be credited for having the psychological edge in '06.

Indeed, team boss Flavio Briatore thinks the only element of Fisichella's make up that is not equipped for the sport's title is 'a bit more nastiness'.

''So I should walk around with two daggers now?'' Fisichella joked to Gazzetta dello Sport.

''Being nasty is not me -- all I need is some better luck than I've had.''

Alonso, as well, is confident that Renault will not start favouring Fisichella, just because the Roman is vowing to stick around.

The Spaniard said: ''It is not in Renault's interest to treat us differently. If we want to succeed again, we must support each other as much as we can.''

 

[Flibster]

Head wanted to keep Heidfeld

Williams co-owner Patrick Head has admitted his team was keen to keep Nick Heidfeld in its driver line-up this year, but lost out to BMW because it took too long deciding its long-term plans.

The services of Heidfeld, who has been staging a career resurgence over the last two years, were keenly sought by both Williams and BMW as they parted ways at the end of 2005.

Although Williams had an option on Heidfeld for 2006, they decided to let this go when BMW offered the German a deal for 2007 and 2008.

Head knew from William’s experience working with Juan Pablo Montoya, when he had already announced a move to McLaren, that team/driver relationships can struggle in such circumstances.

“Before we decided on our steps forward for 2007 and 2008, [BMW boss] Mario [Thiessen] had done a deal with him [Heidfeld] for those two years,” Head said in this week’s Autosport.

“We then decided not to run him in 2006, because it’s never easy with a driver you know is leaving.

“We’d done a deal like that with Juan Pablo [Montoya] in 2004. I’m sure Renault will find the same with Fernando Alonso this year.”

Williams' new recruit, Nico Rosberg, has already been signed up on a long-term deal, although the exact details of this remain unclear.

 

[Flibster]

F1Racing.net to Sponsor Midland F1

MF1 Racing, the Formula One team owned and operated by the Midland Group, is pleased to announce that leading F1 news and information website F1Racing.net will support the team's inaugural World Championship season.

In addition to continuing its sponsorship of driver Christijan Albers, F1Racing.net will back the Dutchman's new team as it prepares to unveil its new MF1 Toyota M16 race car at Silverstone tomorrow.

"The internet become a vital communications tool for all F1 teams and it's great for us to have the backing of one of the most popular F1 news sites," said Colin Kolles, Managing Director of MF1 Racing. "This promises to be an exciting first season for Midland Formula One and we are glad that F1Racing.net will be along to provide first-class coverage of our team, our drivers and, of course, our brand-new car."

MF1 driver Christijan Albers commented, "There is a positive feeling within the team about the new M16. I'm confident we'll be able to achieve some good results this season and I'm looking forward to continuing to share the experience with all my fans in my very own column at F1Racing.net."

"Making a mark in Formula One is incredibly difficult and we are proud to back MF1 Racing in its first season," added Jeroen Huis in't Veld, Chief Executive Officer of F1Racing.net.

F1Racing.net is one of the internet's most popular Formula One websites and offers readers the latest news in eight languages. Its logo will appear on the drivers' helmets and Albers' merchandise.

 

[Flibster]

Oliveira to test for the WilliamsF1 Team

WilliamsF1 today confirmed that João Paulo de Oliveira will test for the team on Friday 3 February at the Valencia circuit, Spain.

Brazilian Oliveira has spent the past two seasons contesting the Japanese Formula 3 Championship, behind the wheel of the Toyota-powered TOM’s car, in which he won last year’s Drivers’ title. Out of a total of 33 races, entered between 2004 and 2005, the 23-year-old has claimed victory 11 times from 14 pole positions, and achieved 25 top ten finishes.

Oliveira started his motorsport career in 1998, with entries in Formula Ford and Formula Chevrolet-Opel, prior to competing in the South American F3 series for two seasons, claiming Championship honours in the B-class in ’99 and in the A-class in 2000. A further two seasons of German F3 followed, in which Oliveira took the silverware in convincing fashion with 13 victories out of a total of 16 races in 2003.

With such a proven pedigree, Oliveira will make his Formula One debut with the WilliamsF1 Team in Valencia tomorrow. The Brazilian will experience 20 laps of the Spanish track in the interim FW27C chassis and will conclude the team’s week long test programme following the launch of the FW28 last week.

Oliveira is one of a long list of Brazilian drivers that has been brought to the team’s attention by major sponsor and fuel supplier, Petrobras. Previously, Max Wilson, Bruno Junqueira, Jaime Melo, Ricardo Sperafico, Antonio Pizzonia and Nelsinho Piquet have all been offered the opportunity to test one of the team’s race cars.

Of his debut, Oliveira commented, “I am delighted that Williams have invited me to drive their car. To be driving a Formula One car is a life long ambition and I intend to take full advantage of the opportunity. I hope that I can also provide the team with some valuable feedback as they prepare for the season ahead.”

Prior to Oliveira’s first outing, Frank Williams, Team Principal of the WilliamsF1 Team, said, “We have closely followed João Paulo’s career to date and it would appear to be an entirely appropriate time to offer him his first F1 test. We’re looking forward to seeing how he responds to the challenge.”

 

[Flibster]

Valentine debut for Super Aguri?

The new Super Aguri Formula 1 team is planning to run its interim SA05 car – based on an updated 2002-spec Arrows chassis – as early as mid-February.

The new Honda-supported outfit, which only officially received permission to enter this year’s F1 championship at the end of last week, is still in the process of setting up its new HQ in the old Arrows facility in Leafield in the UK.

However, work has already begun on designing the team’s own, bespoke car – the SA06 – with the intention of introducing it in time for the start of the European season in late April.

Until then, the team will make do with the ex-Arrows chassis, powered by Honda’s new 2.4-litre V8 engine, on the early-season fly-away rounds in Bahrain, Malaysia and Australia.

This will be tested for the first time at Silverstone on February 14, with a three-day test at Barcelona planned for February 21-23.

The team’s managing director, Daniele Audetto, has said that the team has already secured finance for at least the next three years, and has suggested that the outfit will require at least that long to even think about attempting to win grands prix.

This is despite the addition of 14 R&D engineers from Honda Japan to the 88 existing staff already working for the outfit.

“It took Ferrari 21 years to win a world championship before 2000, so we have to be realistic,” he said in Autosport this week.

“We don’t expect to win a race within three years, but we are not losers and the regulation changes to make racing cheaper in 2008 could be a great benefit for us.”

The Super Aguri team has yet to confirm its drivers for this year, but long-time Honda supported ace Takuma Sato is set to take one of the team’s two seats.

 

[Flibster]

Rossi to have more Ferrari tests

Valentino Rossi will have more Formula One tests with Ferrari in the next few months after finishing a promising three-day session in Spain.

The five-times MotoGP champion was 12th fastest of 15 drivers on Thursday after being ninth quickest on Wednesday.

"It has been a very interesting test, as it was the first time I lapped in a Formula One car with other drivers," the Italian told the Ferrari website.

"I have to say I felt at ease and had no particular problems."

The 26-year-old Rossi spun the car several times in the early wet conditions in Valencia but improved as the track dried out.

"I did not come here to show anything to anybody but simply to broaden my understanding of a Formula One car and I thank Ferrari for continuing to give me this opportunity, added Rossi.

"In the next few months there will be more tests but now I go back to motorcycling, which is foremost in my thoughts.

"I, like Ferrari, have a task to face. We both have championships to compete in and, possibly, to win."

A Ferrari spokesman confirmed that Rossi would take part in further tests but said no schedule had been drawn up yet.

The Italian will defend his MotoGP title with Yamaha but Ferrari have said they want to sign him in 2007.

Rossi has one season left on his Yamaha contract and says he will be on the grid when the 2006 season gets under way in April.

He has tested with Ferrari on three previous occasions and could be viewed as a possible replacement for seven-time champion Michael Schumacher.

Schumacher, 37, has been the backbone of the Ferrari team for several years but his contract runs out at the end of 2006 and he has still to decide whether to continue or retire.

Britain's John Surtees is the only man to have won world championships on two wheels and four, taking the Formula One crown with Ferrari in 1964.

 

[Flibster]

Ferrari Confirms Former McLaren Man as New Chief Designer

Ferrari has announced a roster of changes to its technical department this Thursday, to be effective on March 1st.

Most notable among them is the return of Nicholas Tombazis, who will take over the position of Chief Designer held last year by Aldo Costa. Tombazis, a 38-year old Greek, was Ferrari's Chief Aerodynamicist until 2003, when he left the Scuderia to take over a similar role at McLaren-Mercedes.

Costa, for his part, has been promoted to Head of Design and Development Department. He will work under Technical Director Ross Brawn. Tombazis will report to Costa.

Finally, the Scuderia confirmed that former Chief Designer Rory Byrne will assume the newly created position of Design and Development Consultant. Last month, the South African, who had been rumored to retire this year, revealed that he had signed a two-year extension with the scarlet team.

 

[Flibster]

Sutil and Mondini in at Midland

Ahead of the launch of its first car, Midland F1 has announced two driver signings.

First off, the Russian team announced the signing of 22-year-old Adrian Sutil from Munich, Germany, as the team's official Junior Driver for 2006.

Sutil, runner-up in the 2005 F3 Euroseries Championship, becomes the sixth German to be involved in F1 in 2006.

MF1 Racing Managing Director Colin Kolles commented, "Adrian drove for my F3 team in his rookie Euroseries season. When he earned pole position in just his third race, I was more than just impressed - I was convinced that he was a talent for the future. As MF1's Junior Driver in 2006, he will have the opportunity to mature professionally in a Formula 1 environment and prepare himself thoroughly for what I believe will be a great F1 career."

Sutil will share testing duties for the team and will also participate in some of the Friday Grand Prix practice days.

A gifted pianist, Sutil was expected to follow his violinist father, Jorge, into a musical career but at the age of 14, he discovered karting.

"From that moment on, Formula 1 has been my goal," said the aspiring Junior Driver. "This opportunity with MF1, at an early stage in my development as a driver, is a dream come true. I know that if I work really hard, I can repay the confidence that has been shown in me and earn a place among the top drivers in the world."

In addition to Sutil, the Silverstone-based outfit announced that 25-year-old Swiss driver Giorgio Mondini will participate in nine Friday Grand Prix test days this season.

Mondini, from Geneva, was a relatively late starter to racing, competing in his first Formula Renault Championship in 2001. A graduate of the famous Henry Morough Racing School in Italy, He quickly showed speed but 2004 was when it all started to come together for him and he won the Renault V6 Championship.

Mondini graduated to World Series by Renault for the start of the 2005 but things really took off when he was invited to join David Price Racing's GP2 team for the second half of the season. His performances earned him a test driver the World Championship winning Renault team at Barcelona last December: 'That test whetted my appetite for Formula1 and I am delighted to have this opportunity with MF1 Racing. The new car looks really good and I can't wait to drive it.'

 

[Flibster]

Midland confirms Monteiro... well, sort of

In a flurry of press releases announcing five - count 'em five - new sponsorship deals, a 'junior driver' and a 'nine Friday driver', Midland F1 Racing has finally 'confirmed' Tiago Monteiro as its second race driver in 2006.

Monteiro has been connected with the second seat for some time, having driver for (Midland-owned) Jordan in 2005, and in addition to a number of tests for the Silverstone-based outfit, was even named on the FIA's official entry list published in December.

However, for reasons known only to itself the Russian owned team refused to officially confirm that the Portuguese driver would partner Christijan Albers, even though Tiago was telling all and sundry that the job was his.

One must presume that the reason the team refused to officially confirm Monteiro, was either because it was waiting for his funding to come through, or else the Russian team was holding out for a driver offering a better (financial) deal.

On Thursday evening, twelve hours before the launch of its first car, the team issued yet another press release, this time the Portuguese driver was named:

"MF1 Racing's drivers for the 2006 FIA F1 World Championship season were confirmed as 2005 F1 Rookie of the Year Tiago Monteiro from Portugal and Dutchman Christijan Albers. Germans Markus Winkelhock and Adrian Sutil, as well as Roman Rusinov from Russia, were introduced as the team's test drivers."

All very odd.

 

[Flibster]

Women drivers!

Over in America, Danica Patrick has shown in the last 12 months just what can be achieved by a woman in the Indy Racing League and the results of that have been seen this week with the announcement that Rahal Letterman Racing has signed sponsorship deals with the grocery store company Meijer and with Coca-Cola Enterprises. As part of the three-way deal fans will get a chance to meet Patrick during autograph sessions at select Meijer stores around IRL events. The company operates 171 stores in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Kentucky. Its stores are open 24 hours a day, 364 days a year. Coca-Cola is involved because it wants the association with Patrick, who is now a big star in the US.

It is small wonder that the rival Champ Car series is looking seriously at running Katherine Legge this year.

It is also worth noting that both Legge and Patrick were keen to be Formula 1 drivers but found European attitudes towards women racers to be too closed and raising money to be too difficult.

 

[Flibster]

Hockenheim crisis deepens

Luck is not on Hockenheim's side at present, as a legal hazard now joins uncertainty about the future of the German GP.

It was reported in the 'Mannheimer Morning' newspaper that business documents in the possession of Hockenheim managing director Jurgen von Glasenapp have been seized by the local public prosecutor's office.

Von Glasenapp, and possibly another staff member, have also been sent on leave, while the public prosecutor confirmed that an investigation is underway.

Hockenheim chief and mayor Dieter Gummer did not shed any light on the contents of the documents, but he did admit that such a scenario is 'not helpful'.

It us understood that circuit meetings relating to the issue were held on Wednesday, with another due on Friday.

 

[Flibster]

$3.6m upgrade at Magny Cours

French grand prix venue Magny Cours is set for a $3.6m circuit upgrade.

'The Australian' newspaper cited correspondents in Paris as reporting that the facelift will be funded by the local Nievre authorities.

'It's to bring the circuit into line with standard regulations,' said circuit administrator Gerard Dumas.

The work at Circuit Magny Cours, located 15 kms from the sleepy Nevers town and to be completed in March, is scheduled to begin immediately.

 

[Flibster]

Small sponsors by the ton

MF1 Racing has announced a string of sponsors in the course of the winter months most of them linked to one or other of the drivers involved in the team. The team has 27 sponsorship deals on its notepaper alone but some of those deals are not going to be very large as they include several deals which look like barter arrangements.

The team continues to talk a good game

"It has been an exciting, sometimes bumpy ride since we accelerated our plans and became involved in F1 a year earlier than expected," says Colin Kolles, Managing Director of MF1 Racing. "But through all the ups and downs, we maintained a clear vision of where want to be and, step by step, we are getting there. We have restructured the company and refurbished our headquarters as the first stage of our long-term plans. The M16 car is 100% a product of MF1 Racing - solid proof of our serious intentions. But even though we have invested a great deal into building a brand-new car, we remain realistic about the challenge we face as a private team against the world's top motor manufacturers."

"At this stage in our development, we are excited to give opportunities to the young men and women who will become the future of Formula 1. Technical Director James Key and his team of engineers, who have designed and built the M16, are those people. Their car, like the company as a whole, is a platform for the future and will be continuously developed. Our target for 2006 is consistent and visible progress compared to our rivals, while maintaining the superb reliability record that highlighted 2005."

The most recent additions include an energy drinks called Rhino, the Superfund company, the Portuguese tourist authority and Israel's Zim shipping company.

 

[Flibster]

Berger admits 'thinking about' own F1 team

Gerhard Berger has refused to deny Bernie Ecclestone's recent claim that he is considering setting up a Formula One team in 2008.

The veteran of 210 Grand Prix, and BMW motor sport director until 2003, told Austrian sports magazine Kicker that he would 'gladly come back' if the conditions were right.

“It is an idea that is in my head,” Berger, 46, admitted.

Much like fellow hopefuls David Richards and Roger Penske, however, Berger said his plan would very much depend on Max Mosley's proposed 2008 regulations, where minimum budgets should plummet to around $50m a year.

“At the moment, (starting) a truly independent team is not really realistic,” Berger said. “But if it was more accessible, more affordable, I'd think about it.”

 

[Flibster]

MF1 Racing unveil 2006 challenger

MF1 Racing unveiled the car with which it will compete in the 2006 FIA F1 World Championship, the Midland MF1 Toyota M16, at Silverstone on Friday.

The all-new car - adorned in striking grey, red and white livery - represents the first entry in the 56-year history of the World Championship to race with a Russian motorsport license.

"It has been an exciting, sometimes bumpy ride since we accelerated our plans and became involved in F1 a year earlier than expected," said Colin Kolles, Managing Director of MF1 Racing.

"But through all the ups and downs, we maintained a clear vision of where want to be and, step by step, we are getting there.

"We have restructured the company and refurbished our headquarters as the first stage of our long-term plans. The M16 car is 100% a product of MF1 Racing - solid proof of our serious intentions.

"But even though we have invested a great deal into building a brand-new car, we remain realistic about the challenge we face as a private team against the world's top motor manufacturers."

"The M16 is a completely new car," said James Key, Technical Director of MF1 Racing. "Obviously, the information we have gained from developing the EJ15B has gone into building the M16, but it is significantly improved in so many ways - mechanically, aerodynamically, even the way it is packaged. We are very optimistic about the progress that lies ahead."

Team owner Alex Shnaider, Chairman and co-founder of Midland Group added: "With the M16, we have made a significant leap forward in every respect.

"I am very proud of the passion and ingenuity demonstrated by our workforce and partners, who are the lifeblood of this team. Everyone has worked extremely hard to make this car a reality and I am confident that if we maintain this level of commitment, we will continue to make further and more frequent leaps forward in the years to come."

Shakedown testing of the Midland MF1 Toyota M16 is due to take place at Silverstone on 4 Feb., followed by a four-day test at Jerez beginning 7 Feb.

No pictures as of yet though

 

[Flibster]

Super Aguri don't expect wins

The new Honda backed Super Aguri Formula One team does not expect to win Grand Prix for at least three years.

"We have to be realistic," ITV report Managing Director Daniele Audetto as saying.

The team's initial 2006 car, the reworked Arrows A23 fitted with a 2.4 litre V8 Honda, will be called SA05. The bespoke car will bear the SA06 name.

The SA05 will hit the Silverstone track for a debut test in mid-February, mere weeks ahead of the team's race debut in Bahrain.

The genuine 2006 contender won't be ready until at least the start of the European season in April.