2005/2006 F1 News and Testing.

Flibster · 3 Feb 2006 at 10:34

Midland target BMW, Red Bull

The new Midland Formula One team have set their sights on challenging BMW and Red Bull Racing this season.

The team launched their new M16 car at Silverstone on Friday morning and, despite their struggles after the takeover of Jordan in 2005, they are confident of a major step forward this season.

Technical director James Key said: "We are ambitious and optimistic, but also realistic.

"We are looking at the teams who were ahead of us last year, so that means Red Bull Racing and Sauber (BMW). Realistically I think we can do it, but whether that is at the beginning of the season or the end I don't know. But that is what we are aiming for."

The M16 is an all-new car and Key claims that the major gains over last year's EJ15 are in aerodynamics - although other improvements have been brought in.

"The car is very original," added Key. "We have not been able to design a new car for a few years so we have had ideas stacked up for the last 18 months."

Team principal and managing director Colin Kolles said the team's ambitions were to score regular points this season.

"Last year when I made my first FIA press conference I said that I hoped our car was reliable and that with a bit of luck were could get some points," said Kolles. "This year I hope the car is reliable and we don't need luck for points.

"I hope we can score regularly."

Flibster · 3 Feb 2006 at 11:02

Midland say in F1 for the long-term

Midland owner Alex Shnaider says he is committed to Formula One and has no intention to sell the MF1 Racing team.

Shnaider, who bought the Jordan team in January last year, was surrounded by rumours that he was looking to offload the team after a disappointing season.

But the Russian, whose Midland company has extensive interests throughout the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, says he wants to stay in F1 for a long time.

"The plan is to stay in F1," said Shnaider during the launch of the new MF16 car at Silverstone. "I have no plan to sell. I'm here to stay. I am committed to F1 and it is a great sport."

Asked if he was in F1 for the long-term, he responded: "Yes."

Shnaider, however, did not rule out joining forces with a partner if the right offer came along.

"We are always looking for a partner. But right now this is the Midland team, although if someone came along who could offer us some value then we would not rule it out," he said.

"I like this sport. I was a fan of F1 beforehand and I like the fact it is a global sport and we can use it as a platform, a global platform, for our company."

Flibster · 3 Feb 2006 at 11:23

MF1 Racing M16 Launch: Technical Specifications - Chassis

Chassis
Full carbon fibre composite monocoque

Front suspension
Composite pushrods activating chassis mounted in-line dampers and torsion bars, unequal length composite aerodynamic wishbones, front anti-roll bar and cast uprights

Rear suspension
Composite pushrods activating gearbox mounted rotary dampers & torsion bars, unequal length composite aerodynamic wishbones, and cast uprights.

Transmission
In-house Midland MF1 Racing design. 7-speed + reverse longitudinal gearbox with electrohydraulic sequential gear change

Wheel base
More than 3000mm

Front track
1480mm

Rear track
1418mm

Overall height
950mm

Overall length
Approx. 5000 mm

Overall weight
600 kg, with driver and camera

Clutch
Triple plate AP racing clutch

Wheels
Forged BBS wheels to MF1 Racing specification

Fuel tank capacity
Over 90 kg

Flibster · 3 Feb 2006 at 11:23

MF1 Racing M16 Launch: Technical Specifications - Engine

Designation
Toyota RVX-06

Number of cylinders
8

Capacity
2398cc

Horsepower
Approximately 740bhp

Revolutions
Around 19,000rpm

Valve actuation
Pneumatic

Throttle actuation
Hydraulic

Spark Plugs
DENSO

Fuel
Esso

Lubricants
Esso

Flibster · 3 Feb 2006 at 11:26

Flibster · 3 Feb 2006 at 11:30

They look on the cold side...
Who's stupid idea was it to unveil the car outside?!?

It's -2°C here - should be around the same at Silverstone as it's pretty close to me.

Instead of champagne and stuff they'll be doing tea and coffee and hot chocolate...

Simon/~Flibster

Flibster · 3 Feb 2006 at 12:32

More images...

Flibster · 3 Feb 2006 at 12:56

It does look like it's built for reliability. Everything seems overengineered.

But - as they say - "to finish first - first you must finish"

As they're aiming for solid points this year *engine should be good - as for the rest....* that could be a good thing. Especially if Sato is trying for points as well...

The car that Sato will have with Super Aguri is going to be extremely heavy - instead of Carbon fibre suspension arms they're having steel ones made. :eek:

Still - will suit his driving style.

Still nto sure about the car - it looks better than i was expecting - still expecting mid-teens finishes though.

Air scoop is an odd shape, rear wing is extremely conventional...nothing screams innovation tbh...

Still think the colour scheme is vile though.

Simon/~Flibster

Flibster · 3 Feb 2006 at 12:57

FIA confirms GP timetable for 2006

Formula One's ruling body has confirmed the timetable for Grand Prix weekends for the 2006 season.

The FIA confirmed there will only be one, one-hour long practice session on Saturday morning, instead of two like in the past.

Saturday practice will take place at 11am, except during the British (9:30), Canadian (10:00) and United States (10:00) Grands Prix.

The practice session will be followed by qualifying at 2pm, except except for Great Britain (12:30), Canada (13:00) and United States (13:00).

Fridays remain unchanged, with two practice sessions at 11am and 2pm.

The races will start at 2pm, except for Bahrain (14:30), Malaysia (15:00), Great Britain (12:00), Canada (13:00), United States (13:00) and Turkey (15:00).

Flibster · 3 Feb 2006 at 12:58

MF1 Racing Charges Ahead with Rhino's

MF1 Racing, the Formula One team owned and operated by the Midland Group, is pleased to announce a two-year partnership agreement with Rhino's, an exciting new energy drink from Austria.

Rhino's logos were prominently displayed on the brand-new Midland MF1 Toyota M16 car that was unveiled at Silverstone today.

Colin Kolles, MF1 Racing's Managing Director, welcomed the announcement by saying, "This is a fantastic day for the team. We are very excited to unveil our new car, as well as an important new sponsor. Rhino's two-year commitment affords our team added stability and provides their brand with global exposure. There is great synergy between Rhino's and MF1 Racing, as we are both ambitious, young teams looking to make an impact in our respective fields."

Falk Raudies, CEO of Rhino's Energy Drink and Food AG, added, "Our ambition is to establish ourselves as the undisputed number-two player in the global energy drink sector by 2008, and we see F1 as an effective platform for creating brand awareness in new markets. I believe this co-operation with Midland MF1 Racing will accelerate the company's road to success. MF1 is a dynamic young team on the rise that perfectly embodies Rhino's image of power and endurance. It's a great fit, and we're looking forward to charging ahead together."

Made with pure spring water from the Austrian Alps, Rhino's represents a fresh-tasting alternative in the sports and energy drink market. The Rhino's brand was launched in 2005 and is now available in 28 countries worldwide. Other sports marketing initiatives include sponsorships of ice hockey, stunt shows and motorsports in Europe and the USA.

Flibster · 3 Feb 2006 at 14:21

Firman backs Super Aguri F1 for success

A1 Team Ireland driver Ralph Firman has given his support to the new Super Aguri F1 team which had its entry into the 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship confirmed last week.

The 30 year old former Jordan Formula One driver raced Aguri Suzuki’s Team Honda Racing ARTA NSX into 2nd place in the 2005 Japanese Super GT series and is confident Suzuki can be successful in Formula One.

“I am delighted for Aguri Suzuki because he’s not only achieved a huge amount as a driver but also as a businessman and team owner,” said Firman, fresh from a highly competitive showing in the South African round of the A1GP series in Durban. “He is a very competitive individual and experienced at pulling together strong teams with good financial support. His business skills are clearly very good. Although he has put this Formula One programme together very quickly, I am confident he realises the challenge that lies ahead and will impress everyone with the way in which he tackles it. It will be fascinating to watch.”

Firman, whose own rookie Formula One season with Jordan was blighted by suspension failures and a huge accident at the 2003 Hungarian Grand Prix caused by rear wing failure, believes Honda’s opportunity to win in Formula One will be enhanced its involvement in the Super Aguri F1 programme.

“Honda is a fantastic company to work with and, whether it’s in Super GT or Formula One, they compete to win. I am sure that the feedback they get from having both the works Honda F1 team and the involvement in Super Aguri F1 will benefit them as the season progresses. I do not believe it will compromise either team, quite the opposite in fact. Honda F1 has a very strong driver line-up with Jenson and Rubens pushing hard to win, and I am sure Super Aguri F1 will have drivers capable of scoring points this season. That would be a terrific result in the team’s first year.”

Firman is A1 Team Ireland’s principal driver and achieved the team’s first podium finish in the Portuguese round of the series in Estoril. He is also planning to compete again in Japanese Super GT this season, and recently completed a successful test in the Team Honda Racing NSX at Sepang, Malaysia.

Flibster · 3 Feb 2006 at 14:22

'R26 designed to suit Fisi, not Alonso'

Fernando Alonso's decision to join McLaren in 2007 looks to have wrecked his chance of a second World title with Renault, because - most probably as a result - the team has designed this year's car to suit his team-mate's driving style.

In a recent interview with the Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper, team boss Flavio Briatore revealed that Renault's new car, the R26, may suit Giancarlo Fisichella better than last year's did.

"He (Fisichella) has all the cards he needs and on top of that, a car which was not built - like the 2005 one - for Alonso's requirements," the Italian said.

But although the team is providing Fisichella with the perfect car, he still has to do some of the work and one thing Briatore believes the Roman needs to do is develop a ruthless streak.

"Knowing that Fernando is leaving will put him (Fisichella) in top psychological condition," Briatore said.

"If he could just develop a bit more nastiness he would certainly be able to challenge for the World Championship."

Fisichella finished fifth in last year's Championship with 58 points, while team-mate Alonso won the title having bagged 133 points.

Flibster · 3 Feb 2006 at 14:51

MF1 want to bring Russian space experts

Formula One's first Russian team are looking to the country's space and aviation experts for a competitive edge.

"It is very exciting. It was our plan from day one to have a Russian team in Formula One and we have executed our plan," said Russian-born billionaire Alex Shnaider after Midland unveiled their first car on Friday.

"Now we just have to do better than we did last year," the team owner, who bought struggling Jordan in January 2005, told Reuters.

Jordan had only Minardi behind them in the final 2005 standings.

"We are very actively looking now for aerodynamicists and engineers in Russia, to hire and to bring here to help with the team and bring new ideas," added the naturalised Canadian.

"There are a lot of very good specialists in Russia, aircraft designers."

Shnaider's Midland Group is involved in heavy industry throughout the former Soviet bloc and had planned to start their own team from scratch before Jordan became available.

He said the team's factory would remain at the Silverstone circuit.

"We have no plans to have a design team anywhere else. If we hire people in Russia, we would get them visas and bring them to work here," he said.

Russian Driver

Midland have Roman Rusinov as one of four test drivers and have a long-term plan to put a Russian on the starting grid for the first time.

"It will probably take a few years," said Shnaider. "We are looking also at other young drivers. Obviously he has to be as good as the other drivers but I think there is enough talent in Russia."

The Toyota-powered M16 car, decked out in orange, white and grey livery, lacks Russian sponsors but Shnaider was confident they would come too.

"It will pick up," he said. "Formula One is still new to Russian companies, but with time they will learn and now there is a Russian-licensed team it will bring up the interest."

A Russian race would also help and the team owner, who was born in St Petersburg before emigrating as a child to Israel and then Canada, said that was likely in the near future.

"The way I understand it, there will be a race eventually. I think within five years it should happen, in Moscow," he said.

Flibster · 3 Feb 2006 at 14:52

Kolles questions Toro Rosso's V10 legality

MF1 Racing's managing director Colin Kolles says Toro Rosso's plans to use a V10 engine during the 2006 season should be considered illegal.

Toro Rosso, owned by Red Bull after the company took over the Minardi team last year, will use V10 engines this season while their rivals fit the new V8s.

The team were allowed to run V10s when they were Minardi, but Kolles believes now that their financial problems have been solved Toro Rosso should follow the rules and use V8s.

Kolles suggested that if Toro Rosso are in front of his own Midland team when the season starts in Bahrain, he might consider taking some action.

"The car is not legal. That is the point. It is very clear. Obviously I have a very clear opinion. This engine does not belong in Formula One any more," said Kolles during the launch of their new car.

"It is not the regulation. It has been accepted due to a financial reason for Minardi and this is not any more the case.

"For me it is not understandable - (Red Bull) spending hundreds of millions, having two Formula One teams and ************ the world, basically.

"If they are in front of us then they will have a problem because I will not be very happy with this and I am very clear about this."

The equivalence formula introduced by the FIA to limit V10s has left several teams unhappy, although the governing body said the formula could change quickly.

"I trust the FIA. It is in the hands of the FIA. We are looking at it, but we are looking very carefully at it," added Kolles.

MF1, racing under the Jordan name, struggled for pace last year and stand to lose the most if Toro Rosso are competitive.

Over the winter, Midland have carried out tests with both V8 and V10 engines in order to provide data to the FIA to show them the equivalence formula is not working.

Kolles, however, said further limiting the V10s will not solve the problem.

"It is not a question of making the engines slower," he said. "It is a question that the regulations state a V8 engine, and not a restricted V10 engine. It was an exception for Minardi due to financial reasons. For us it is not only a V8/V10 the power, it is also a financial matter.

"A V8 engine is much more expensive than a V10 engine and if it is restricted you can run much longer and be more reliable. It has more torque. It is not just restricting the engine, it is a completely different world.

"They are expecting to be competitive. To be honest, for me it is a shame. But okay, it is the FIA who told us that they will take care and it will not happen. So we trust the FIA that they will control it and that they will be at the back of the grid. That is it."

Portuguese driver Tiago Monteiro admitted he was worried Toro Rosso would prove more competitive than his own team.

"I am personally worried," Monteiro said. "I don't know exactly how the team feels about it, but I'm not happy. We did a big V10/V8 comparison and I was 0.7s quicker with the same car with a different engine.

"So for me, it's totally unfair that they use the V10 - at the moment [with the current restrictions] the V10 is seven-tenths quicker. So if the rules stay like that, initially Toro Rosso will definitely be quicker than us."

Wrong wrong wrongitty wrong!

The V10 rule was set up for the lower grid teams to be able to use a competitive engine. The car is legal - Tough titties MF1 - plus - I thought that STR would be igher up the grid that you anyway.

Simon/~Flibster

Flibster · 3 Feb 2006 at 14:58

Super Aguri announces first test day

The last team to join the Formula One World Championship, Super Aguri, announced that they will run their car, the SA05, for the first time at the circuit of Silverstone on Tuesday February 14. Following the test at Silverstone, the SA05 will run in Barcelona from 21-23 February.

The SA05 is an interim racer, based on an updated 2002-spec Arrows chassis. Alongside the SA05 programme, the Aguri Team is also working on the design of the SA06, which is expected to be introduced for the start of the European season.

Expect slowness...

Flibster · 3 Feb 2006 at 14:58

Midland presents new sponsors

On the occasion of MF1 Racing Ltd, the team owned and operated by the Midland Group, unveiling its all new MF1Toyota M16, it is also proud to announce a portfolio of brand new sponsors to Formula 1 in addition to those revealed in recent weeks.

Marhaba Communications is a company based in the Middle Eastern region providing Triple Play solutions through their ATM network offering Internet (broadband), Voice (VoIP), IPTV, Media Content Transfer and Mobile Network support.

Clarington Investments is a leading provider of innovative financial services in Europe and other global markets. Clarington offers investment products, private banking and structured finance products for private, corporate and institutional clients.

Axzons is an Intellectual Property Investment company headquartered in New York and specialising in the Biotech industry.

Kick Communications based in the USA has a decade of success in designing, planning, building, management and strategic growth of cutting edge communication networks specialising in the healthcare industry.

Kicklotto provides the operations for the future Russian Electronic Lottery and Credit Card processing solutions.

Colin Kolles, managing director of MF1 Racing commented: 'The introduction of these five new companies to Formula 1 is an exciting moment for our new Midland MF1 Racing team and clearly illustrates the powerful attraction of Formula 1 as it moves into a tobacco-free advertising era.'

Flibster · 3 Feb 2006 at 15:05

More images of the MF1 M16

Flibster · 3 Feb 2006 at 15:14

Flibster · 3 Feb 2006 at 19:05

Woah woah woah woah WOAH!!!
STOP THE MUSIC!!!

So....Ferrari claim earlier this week that they are not a Manafacturer...*They build several thousand cars a year - but aren't a manafacturer???? :confused:

*

Now this comes out....Hmmmmm...
Seems a little bit...convenient...doesn't it?

Trying to figure out what the hell Max is up to here - Privateers get money but the manufacturers don't if they don't sign up now??

Are they trying to force the Manafacturers out now? Still no engines manufacturers apart from Ferrari in 2008 then.

Oh well - GPWC may well take a few large steps forward now. I can't see any of the manufacturers liking no money - they're the ones who actually wanted a larger share in the first place.

What about new manufacturer teams who come along? No money for them?

I think Bernie and Max have finally gone to cuckooland. Say bye bye to the manufacturers in F1...and more than likely F1 itself.

Simon/~Flibster

Flibster · 3 Feb 2006 at 20:07

They produce cars and are self financed *as they proudly annouced earlier this year* and now...they're not a manufacturer?

They were created by Enzo Ferrari as a manufacturer team and Enzo himself hated the garageites *as he called them* - now they're one of them?

McLaren will be considered a Manufacturer as well as they make cars *plus Bernie and Max want them to be considered as such* and they're 40% *??* owned by Daimler Chrysler

The GPMA isn't controlled by one person - all ideas are tabled then voted upon - any new teams/manufacturers who come in get an equal vote as well so anything that doesn't have a majority *not sure if it's a general majority or a 2/3rds or something like that*

Just because Ducatti only make 40k bikes a year - they're a lot more focussed than Honda are. Honda do god knows how many types of bikes - Ducatti only do sports bikes.

Same with Ferrari - you don't see that many Ferrari 4x4's, Ferrari Flatbeds or Ferrari Vans do you?

*entertaining thought though...* Still doesn't mean they're not a manufacturer.

Lotus produce less cars than Ferrari and they were a manufacturer and they didn't produce their own engines either...

Either way - F1 could be in real trouble.

Simon/~Flibster