2005/2006 F1 News and Testing.

[Flibster]

Hope for Belgium?

A spokesman for the Walloon region's finance minister, Philippe Malburny, has said that there is still hope that next year's Belgian Grand Prix will go ahead, despite the race promoter going bankrupt, but much of this lies with F1 supremo, Bernie Ecclestone.

"We are searching for a solution for the Grand Prix but not at any price," said Malburny. "There are two possibilities, either we organise it or we don't."

One of the options is to find private investors, while the other is to convince Bernie Ecclestone to take over as race promoter. Ironically this would mean that as race promoter and commercial rights holder, he would effectively be paying himself.

In 2005, following poor ticket sales, the Walloon government had to bail out promoter, Didier Defourny, with a loan of £10m ($18m), which led to a major political argument, with parties claiming that the money could be better spent elsewhere.

Talks with Ecclestone continue, however, race fans are warned not to purchase tickets for next year's event until the issue has been fully resolved. The uncertainty over the event will not help ticket sales, which, having been poor in 2005, were blamed as one of the main reasons for Defourny's failure.

 

[Flibster]

Midland races for Russia

Midland F1 will race as a Russian team under a Russian licence.

Announcing the decision, team owner, Alex Shnaider, who was born in Russia but subsequently emigrated to Canada, said: "As a Russian-born person, I am extremely pleased that the team founded by Midland Group will compete in the Formula One World Championship with a Russian identity. It has always been Midland's intention to enter F1 with a Russian license - an association which reflects this project's core targets and values - and I am very grateful to the RAF and Victor Kiryanov, President of the Federation, for their support.

"I believe that Midland Group's decision to enter its team under the Russian flag will push forward the development of Russia's motorsport and open new horizons for Russian racing drivers at the international level. MF1 Racing will make every effort toward achieving this goal and welcomes collaboration with the Russian authorities and Russian businesses in this challenging and extremely important undertaking."

Victor Kiryanov, President of the Russian Automobile Federation (RAF), presented Shnaider with an official license for the team's entry into the 2006 Formula One World Championship. Having acquired a license from the RAF, MF1 Racing now becomes the first team to compete under the Russian flag in the world's most prestigious motor racing series.

International Automobile Federation (FIA) rules state that in order to participate in the F1 World Championship, a team should make an entry application with a license issued by a national motorsports authority attached to it.

Kiryanov commented: "Russian motor sport needs support from big business to develop and I am very happy that, thanks to Midland Group, our country will gain entry to the most important racing series on the planet. Getting a Russian team into F1 is a crucial step forward, both for Russian motorsport and for a nation that wishes to be seen as increasingly progressive in the modern world. Acquiring the Russian license marks the first step of a long journey for the Russian motor sport and for our country toward reaching the highest levels of international motorsport. I hope that some day, thanks to our joint efforts, Russian drivers will be racing and excelling in Formula One."

Bernie Ecclestone, Formula One Management President, said: "I am very happy that we now have in Formula One a team with a Russian license. I am sure the MF1 Racing team will create interest not only in Russia but also worldwide. I wish Alex Shnaider and the team the best of luck and the support of a great nation."

 

[Flibster]

Fisichella loses licence

In a classic example of 'bad timing', Giancarlo Fisichella has lost his driving licence for speeding - just days after taking part in a campaign to warn youngsters of the dangers of 'street racing'.

Last week, the Renault star wrote an article for Gazzetta dello Sport, following the death of a 16-year-old in a street race in Rome. A few days later, the Roman was stopped by police in the Italian capital as he sped to the bedside of his sick son.

"I apologise and I am ready to pay," said Australian GP winner, Fisichella, according to ANSA, the Italian news agency. "I know that I made a mistake, however, my commitment to road safety remains strong.

"I was rushing back home because our babysitter had called myself and my wife to inform us that our son had a high fever," he admitted.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!

Simon/~Flibster

 

[Flibster]

Anyone want to buy a F1 track?

Sepang's current owner is still trying to sell the F1 venue.

It is presently owned by 'Malaysia Airports Holdings', with the sale linked to the company's desire to restructure.

But general manager Datuk Ahmad Mustafa told 'The Edge Daily' publication that the agreement with Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One Management is holding up the sale.

In Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, he said Bernie would expect the Malaysian government to guarantee the race's future, but 'as a sovereign country, (Malaysia can) not be taken to court.

"(They) ... are working out a (solution)."

Malaysia's 'Finance Ministry' agreed in 2003 to buy the Sepang circuit for $103.6 million. The current F1 promoters' contract runs to 2010.

 

[Flibster]

BAR's new name?

Nick Fry may have accidentally, or deliberately, let slip the name of the new Honda F1 racing team.

Fry was talking at the Global Motorsports Congress, in Frankfurt, when the possible new name appeared.

The new name of the team has not yet been confirmed by anyone at Honda but Fry’s presentation slides were headed, 'Honda Racing F1 Team'.

When asked if that was the new name, or at least a big hint at it, Fry seemed a little uncomfortable.

''Maybe, maybe.” he replied.

''Was that really up there?''

When the new name will be made official is not yet sure but Honda’s operating officer Hiroshi Oshima has given little away in the past.

''The name will be Honda something-or-other,'' he said when asked for the new team name in October.

Honda are also expected to replace the black and white BAR colours with the red and white of Japan.

 

[Flibster]

You bugger...I'd just got that to post..

Apparently the A24 chassis was meant to be something pretty special by all accounts. Very smart of Stoddy to hold onto the rights for the Arrows team.

 

[Flibster]

Legge crashes on F1 testing debut

Katherine Legge's test drive with F1 team Minardi ended when she crashed after two laps at Vallelunga in Italy.

Minardi officials said the 25-year-old was unhurt and is expected to resume testing with the team on Wednesday.

Britain's Legge said: "It was great driving a F1 car for the first time, even if I did end up learning about traction control the hard way.

"The accident was really just down to a lack of experience, but it definitely hasn't dampened my enthusiasm."

Legge won three races in the United States' Toyota Atlantic series this season to earn the chance.

Giovanna Amati was the last woman to compete in F1, in 1992, but she failed to qualify for three races.

Indy Racing League driver Sarah Fisher drove several demonstration laps in a McLaren at Indianapolis in 2002, but that run was a promotional exercise for a joint sponsor and did not constitute a test.

 

[Flibster]

Aye didn't they manage to go quicker in it than the Minardi during the head to head test?

Except that was the A23 chassis - the A24 was the design for the 2003 season *iirc*

From the test models they did of the chassis it was meant to be around a couple of seconds a lap faster than the A23.

Simon/~Flibster

 

[Flibster]

Changed name for old Minardi team

The old Minardi team, which is now owned by Red Bull, has been renamed Scuderia Toro Rosso for next season.

Red Bull Racing officially took charge of the team in early November and had originally named it Squadra Toro Rosso.

The name still means Red Bull Team in Italian but Scuderia means stable, as opposed to squadra, which is more commonly used by football teams.

The two teams' combined line-up is Neel Jani, David Coulthard, Scott Speed, Vitantonia Liuzzi and Christian Klien.

Briton Coulthard and Klien are almost certain to stay with the senior team.

Speed and Liuzzi are expected to join forces at Toro Rosso, with Jani likely to become the third driver at Red Bull.

 

[Flibster]

MF1 appoints new Tech boss

Midland F1 has promoted James Key to the position of technical director.

The 33-year-old Englishman, formerly the team's technical co-ordinator, will fill the role left vacant after Mark Smith left the team in January.

Jordan's sporting director Adrian Burgess has overseen the technical aspects in the intervening period, but with Midland pushing ahead with its own design rather than that commissioned by Dallara, Key will be charged with developing MFR-1 through 2006.

"I am very pleased to announce James Key as our new technical director," said MF1 Racing's MD Colin Kolles.

"He has been working with the team for several years and has built up an impressive level of experience and knowledge of motorsport.

I am sure his organisational skills and innovative ideas will be of great value to us with the ongoing development of our cars in 2006 and beyond."

Key began his motorsport career with Lotus in 1996, working on their GT car program before entering F1 with Jordan in 1998 as a data engineer. He became test engineer in 2000 and senior race engineer in 2002.

He was appointed technical vo-ordinator in 2005.

"Having gone through a transitional period this year, following the team’s acquisition by Midland, we are now very busy with the design of next year’s car," said Key.

"I am looking forward to the challenges we face next season and there is a great deal of work to be done.

"This team has a lot of very good people and, given this new opportunity, I am confident we will progress as the year unfolds.

"Personally, I look forward to the challenge of moving our technical efforts forward and gaining ground on the teams currently ahead of us."

 

[Flibster]

Briatore admits it's Kovalainen for Renault test role

Despite claims that he was heading to BMW, Heikki Kovalainen will be Renault's test driver in 2006.

Although the team has yet to make an official announcement, team boss Flavio Briatore, confirmed the Finn's role, whilst singing his praises, in an interview with Italian magazine, Autosprint.

"He is the future of F1," said Briatore, who has previously guided Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso to World Championship glory.

"We have invested a lot in him," he continued, "and there is no truth in rumours of him racing for BMW in 2006. He will be our test driver, and he will follow the same programme we used for Fernando.

"In 2007 he will surely be on the F1 grid," added the Italian, "but I don't know whether it will be with Renault or another team. We shall see."

 

[Flibster]

Petronas to partner BMW

Two strong partners formally forge an alliance: Petronas is to be the premium partner of the new BMW Sauber F1 Team that is gearing up for its debut in the 2006 Formula One World Championship. Today, Thursday, a four-year contract was signed and sealed in Kuala Lumpur, confirming Petronas as the main sponsor through to and including season 2009.

"We are delighted to have such a strong partner for our Formula One project," said BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen after the contract signing ceremony in the Petronas Twin Towers. "We are building on a longstanding association between Petronas and the previous Sauber Team. Petronas is a major player above all in Asia, which is a very significant growth market for BMW too."

Rosman Roslan, Head of Petronas Motorsports stated: "Through our relationship with Sauber of more than ten years, Formula One became a powerful platform for Petronas to build a strong global brand in support of our international business expansion. As an extension of our long-standing relationship with Sauber to the new BMW managed team, Petronas is proud to be associated with a globally successful manufacturer and a premium brand. This association with BMW will enable us to further elevate Petronas globally as well as enhance our brand through worldwide exposure as well as worldwide positioning."

Peter Sauber remarked on the occasion of the contract signing in Kuala Lumpur: "The partnership between Petronas and Sauber began in 1995. In the course of time it went far beyond a classic sponsorship and has been outstanding throughout all those years. I am personally delighted that this partnership, which has been so fruitful for both sides, is to continue with the new BMW Sauber F1 Team."

 

[Flibster]

Rusinov to test for MF1

MF1 Racing has announced announce that Roman Rusinov will participate in his first Formula One test session with the team at the Jerez circuit in Spain on the 10th of December, 2005. In preparation for the test, the 24-year-old driver attended the team's Silverstone headquarters yesterday for a seat fitting.

Colin Kolles - Managing Director of MF1 Racing stated: "MF1 Racing will compete in the 2006 FIA Formula One World Championship under the Russian flag, so it makes perfect sense for our team to test a Russian Driver and we are looking forward to working with him at Jerez."

Roman Rusinov added: "It would not be an exaggeration to say that I have been waiting my entire career for this moment! This test is the first but crucial step on my way to F1. At this point, my aim is to learn the peculiarities of an F1 car and familiarise myself with the way an F1 team works. My arrival in F1 depends on numerous factors, but the most important thing for me right now is to concentrate on driving the car quickly and properly. I believe I have shown this ability throughout my career and I am positive that I will perform well this time. I would like to express my gratitude to MF1 Racing, Midland Group and personally to the team's founder, Alex Shnaider, for allowing me this opportunity."

 

[Flibster]

Fry: 'Test limit unlikely unless Ferrari agree'

Although Ferrari tested at will in 2005 while their rivals stuck to a 30-day limit, BAR-Honda team boss Nick Fry says that's unlikely to be repeated next year.

During this year's World Championship, Ferrari tested for 79 days after refusing to consent to a test limit proposal.

However, the other nine teams did no more than 30 days from the start to the end of the season, as they had all signed up for the cost-cutting deal.

Next year, though, Fry believes the Scuderia's rivals won't agree to reduced testing unless all the teams say yes.

"There is a draft agreement for 2006, but unlike this year, I think we'll see a restriction only if ten teams agree." Fry said in an interview with F1Total.com.

He added: "We can't allow a competitor like Ferrari to maintain a competitive advantage like that."

However, in other reports, Williams have allegedly already signed up for limited testing in 2006, as the Grove-based outfit believes Ferrari will agree to it now that both Williams and Toyota have swapped to Bridgestone tyres.

 

[Flibster]

Ecclestone and BayernLB sell F1 holdings

Bernie Ecclestone and BayernLB, one of three banks that own 75 percent of F1, have sold their stake in SLEC, the Formula One group holding company, to CVC Capital Partners, an independent investment and advisory company, for an undisclosed price.

Of the 75 percent owned by the three banks, BayernLB owns just over half.

According to reports, CVC is negotiating with the other two banks - JPMorgan and Lehman Brothers - in an attempt to buy their shares.

The sale comes at a time when the Grand Prix Manufacturers' Association is pressing ahead with plans for a 'breakaway' series in 2008.

Founded in 1981 as Citicorp's European private equity arm, CVC subsequently carried out its own buy-out in 1993 and is now owned by its management, led by Michael D.C. Smith. However, it still advises Citigroup on its European investments.

One interesting point is that CVC owns Dorna, which runs MotoGP, a sport that is increasingly gaining global popularity. Ecclestone knows Dorna well, having sold it the rights to the Motorcycle World Championship.

So it looks like Bernie is getting out of F1 then...

Interesting turn up that..

Bernie's power in F1 has been weakened over the past few years - how much of a shout is the little guy going to have now?

 

[Flibster]

Minardi passes into history

The Minardi name officially passed in to the history books on Thursday after team owner Paul Stoddart completed the final lap of its last test at Vallelunga on Thursday.

The emotional Australian, who sold the team to Red Bull magnate Dietrich Mateschitz in September, admitted he was choked as he became the last man ever to drive a contemporary Minardi.

Former Minardi drivers Gianni Morbidelli and Marc Gene, as well as many of the team's devoted fans turned up to witness its sad end.

"It turned out a more emotional experience than I expected to be the last person to drive a Minardi F1 car," said Stoddart.

"For so many years, Minardi has tried to give so much to so many, and it has been very touching this week to have received so many positive comments."

Gian Carlo Minardi first brought his small constructor into Formula 1 in 1985.

And while the Faenza-based team never grew to be anything more than a solid midfield runner in the early-'90s, it nurtured a cult following as it out-lasted several larger, better-financed efforts.

Minardi seemed to be forever on a financial knife-edge but by the turn of the century however it was clearly struggling for funds.

Six weeks before the start of the 2001 season Stoddart swept in to give the team a much-needed financial lease of life.

The Australian has put up a spirited and vocal fight in his struggle to survive against the might of the manufacturers for the last five years, but even he was eventually forced to give best and sell up.

The outfit will now become Red Bull's B-team in 2006.

"Now the team has moved on to become Scuderia Toro Rosso, I wish them every success, although I know I'm not alone in thinking it will always be Minardi in the minds of so many people," said Stoddart.

"On a final note, Minardi is only what it is because of the people within the team, and I have enjoyed the best five years of my life working with some truly professional individuals.

"Thank you to all of them."

 

[Flibster]

Too true, in these days of corporate identities and large conglomerates it's been great to see a bunch of folk going out and giving their all not for the guys in hospitality with their cucumber sandwiches but because they truly love what they do.

It was incredible what Minardi were able to do with the budgets they had but also a sad reflection on the state of F1 at the moment - in 2004 Minardi struggled at the back of the field while spending more than Williams did in 1993 when they designed, built and ran the most advanced F1 car the world has ever seen.

Or to look at it another way - Minardi's 2005 budget would not have paid for Michael Schumackers wages for the year...

Very very sad day.

Simon/~Flibster

 

[Flibster]

F1 rights deal still requires FIA approval

Bernie Ecclestone and BayernLB's sale of Formula1's commercial rights to CVC Capital Partners still needs to be approved by the sport's governing body, ITV-F1.com can reveal.

In the wake of a confirmation by CVC, Ecclestone and BayernLB that a deal has been struck, the FIA has in turn confirmed that their consent is required for the deal to be completed.

Under what is often alluded to as "the Don King clause", the FIA reserves a right of veto to any change of ownership of the sport's commercial rights.

In other words, the FIA has the power to cancel its agreement with Ecclestone, which gives him the rights to F1 for a hundred years, if it sees fit.

"We have been aware of the discussions for some time, the completion of such a deal is contingent on the consent of the FIA," an FIA spokesman told ITV-F1.com on Friday.

"We await full and final details which will be considered by the FIA Senate and the World Motor Sport Council in due course."

Although the FIA wouldn't comment further, it is understood that it looks favourably on the deal because of CVC's experience in the motoring world through their controlling shareholding in the Automobile Association and their motor sports rights experience with Dorna and MotoGP.

However, CVC will also have to get the green light from the European Commission, which will need to be satisfied that the deal is not a threat to competition.

 

[Flibster]

F1 Changes Hurt Small Teams

Recent years have seen the cost of running a Formula One team spiral out of control, while rule changes have been aimed at containing these costs. Ironically, while the larger, richer teams are able to adapt to these changes, it is the small teams like Minardi, Jordan and Sauber that have been hurt in the process.

"The rules are changing constantly and that has killed our team," lamented former Minardi owner, Paul Stoddart, in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport. "Changes are costing money. "F1 will miss Minardi, but small teams won't be able to survive anymore."

His counterparts, Eddie Jordan and Peter Sauber, had reached the same conclusion in the past year and sold their teams as well. "Now everything in Formula One is controlled by the big manufacturers. Politics are racing nowadays," continued Stoddart. "No team will be able to do what Minardi has done for young drivers. Sometimes we had to do it for the money I must admit but the best drivers came through us in Formula 1."

 

[Flibster]

WilliamsF1 resume testing on Tuesday

The WilliamsF1 team will resume testing this coming Tuesday, running with an interim FW27C chassis using Cosworth power and Bridgestone tyres. It is also expected that the team will shortly make an announcement regarding their third driver.

With the teams race drivers been announced, with Nico Rosberg joining Mark Webber, it is also expected that the team will shortly announce their Friday driver. Several drivers would appear to be on the short list for this position, but with the team losing the support of BMW it may be the case that the team has to take into consideration what funds the driver can bring to the team.

It is for this reason that the names of ex Jordan driver Narain Karthikeyan and ex Minardi driver Nicolas Kiesa are at the top of the list as it is expected that they will be able to bring considerable amounts of funding to the team. Other drivers who may able be on the list include Anthony Davidson, Alex Wurz, and Robert Doornbos.

WilliamsF1's Technical Director Sam Michael would not comment of the identity of the teams third driver but he did add that the teams decision would go beyond financial considerations. The driver would have to be able to perform in their testing role and be able to provide the team with good feedback.

In an interview for the British Autosport magazine Michael said: "The key requirement for a third driver is that they are consistent and give good technical feedback. Even the ability to learn a track is almost secondary because of the simulations we have.
"I have been surprised by the abilities of some of the guys we have been speaking to."
As for Karthikeyan his manager Piers Hunnisett said: "We're still talking to Williams, 'but we've had discussions with BMW as well."