2005/2006 F1 News and Testing.

Bernie on hunt for Indy 'alternative'

Bernie Ecclestone has admitted that he is on the hunt for an 'alternative' to the US grand prix at Indianapolis.

Hinting that negotiations are now on with Tony George about a new contract, the 75-year-old told Autosprint, an Italian magazine : " I don't yet know whether there will be the conditions to renew it."

Last June's farcical race at Indy, scene of the fabled Motor Speedway, enraged fans and circuit bosses alike.

Acknowledging that the collaboration might have been damaged beyond repair, F1 supremo Ecclestone ruled out returning to Long Beach, but likes the idea of a street race.

He said : " Ideally it would be a track in Las Vegas, on the road with all the most important casinos. We are trying that, we're working on it."
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Ralf, Trulli, not 'top' pairing - Symonds

Jarno Trulli is not capable of winning regularly in Formula One, according to a former chief of Toyota's Italian race driver.

Pat Symonds, who oversaw the 31-year-old's maiden win at Renault in 2004, told F1 Racing magazine that JT's is perhaps the most 'complex' character on the whole grid.

'He implodes,' said the director of engineering, adding to the oft-repeated theory that Trulli is a great qualifier but a poor racer.

Symonds added: 'He can be so quick, but if the slightest thing goes wrong, then his degradation of performance is staggering.'

The Briton also aimed fire at Trulli's Toyota teammate, Ralf Schumacher, describing the German as not a top driver.

'I don't rate him as highly as Giancarlo (Fisichella), for example,' Symonds said.
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F1 daughter signs DTM deal

The daughter of an 8-time formula one winner will take a step closer to the grand prix grid in 2006.

31-year-old Vanina Ickx, whose Belgian father Jacky drove for Ferrari, McLaren and Williams, has been signed to race an Audi A4 by the new DTM team run by Colin Kolles, who is also in charge of the Midland F1 squad.
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An error, or something sinister?

A story first covered by the German media and subsequently picked up by a British motorsport website, which reports it as "new information", at first glance appears to be cut and dried - Renault is behind plans for a 'freeze' regarding engine development.

The news that the French manufacturer is calling for the freeze, and is reportedly making its own proposals as to how this might be achieved, in addition to coming up with other cost-cutting initiatives, gives the impression that it could be on the verge of breaking ranks with its fellow manufacturers that comprise the Grand Prix Manufacturers' Association (GPMA). This would open up a costly, and messy, can of worms since the manufacturers are legally bound together until September 2006.

This week, Max Mosley warned that he would be seeking to impose a freeze on engine development from 2008, further warning that next month, the manufacturers will be given a ten-day 'window' to sign for the 2008 Championship or face exclusion. Meanwhile, one week ago, Renault boss, Flavio Briatore urged the manufacturers to sign-up to the new Concorde Agreement.

According to the German media, Briatore wrote personally to Max Mosley on January 20, listing a number of recommendations as to how to make F1 a better spectacle and also reduce costs.

Amongst Briatore's more fanciful suggestions are calls for a salary cap for drivers - most odd, considering his other role as a driver manager - and an age cap - an idea discussed and dismissed by the team principals and Max Mosley in February 2005.

The Italian also calls for a ban on testing - at least in the summer - with the Friday of each Grand Prix devoted almost entirely to testing, and recommends that all Technical and Sporting regulations should only be changed every three years - thereby 'freezing' engine development and chassis design.

As we have said, at first glance, this would appear to suggest that Renault, under Briatore's guidance, is looking to break ranks, make peace, and sign up to the new Concorde Agreement.

According to the British website, the FIA has "refused to confirm whether Renault are the ones pushing for the 'engine freeze' idea", quoting an FIA spokesman as saying: "It would be inappropriate to comment".

However, a search of the FIA website reveals that Flavio Briatore has indeed written to Max Mosley with a number of cost cutting proposals, these include:

•The technical and sporting regulations should be frozen for a minimum of three years. Only in extreme cases should changes be introduced for safety reasons during this period.

•The regulations for the next three year period should be fixed and published a full two years prior to their introduction. The changes from one period to the next should again only be done for significant safety reasons. During the three year period of unchanging regulations each team must homologate a car and engine design that remains unaltered. Variations in car design to allow for cooling options and various downforce levels etc can also be homologated.

•Bodywork regulations to be altered to significantly reduce development potential i.e. remove bargeboards, brake drums and diffusers, and mandate standard front and rear wings.

•Enforce standard ECU and software.

•Mandate a fixed C of G position for the car (as is being done for the engine) with a designated (and protected) ballast volume for tuning to achieve this.

•Restrictions on materials used in construction of the cars.

•Allowing the sale of rolling chassis by one team to another team.

Other suggestion to reduce costs include:

•Eliminate all 'in season' private testing, replacing it with the Friday of a Grand Prix event being dedicated to free testing during a limited time period. During this testing day, drivers involved in the GP event would not be allowed to drive (to ensure that they used track time on the Saturday). In order to keep engine life similar or longer than current practice, the engine would have to be used for more than two GP events (engines being free on Friday). This should be coupled with a further reduction to test ban periods outside the season. For years when the design is fixed (as suggested above) these restrictions could be draconian. For years when new designs were introduced the ban could be moderated so that safety is not compromised.

•A salary cap on drivers. This has been applied successfully in other sports (NFL, NBA, Zurich premiership and Super League in rugby) and should be universal rather than based on a teams turnover. All contracts should be "owned" by the governing body to ensure this rule is adhered to. A by product of this is that research shows that in 2001/2002, the correlation of salary bills and wins for the NBA (which had a salary cap) was negligible at 0.13 whereas Major League Baseball, with no salary cap showed a strong correlation at 0.43 between teams salary bills and propensity to victories. This will help to limit domination by one team.

•A maximum age for a team's second driver.

•Making Grand Prix meetings two day, rather than three day events.

•A compulsion for engine suppliers to make engines available to at least two teams if requested under normal commercial constraints in much the same way that tyre suppliers are already required to. In order to ensure that the commercial costs are realistic a fixed price could be determined by the governing body.

•A ban on the use of spare cars (cars which are built up and require a separate crew of mechanics to maintain them).

Full justification for each suggestion is also given.

Reading through these comprehensive suggestions, which Flavio has faxed to the FIA on Renault F1 stationery, one would have to draw the conclusion that the Italian is looking for common ground, and that Renault is seeking a solution which will allow it to break ranks, almost certainly dealing a killer blow to the GPMA.

At a time when the manufacturers are saying that a freeze on engine development would compromise Formula One's image as the pinnacle of motorsport and the forefront of racing technology, Renault appears to be suggesting that a freeze would be the ideal solution.

However, before we all get carried away - and this includes Renault's partners in the GPMA - let's take another look at that fax. For it was sent to Max Mosley on January 20… 2005.

To check the document, click here

It's old news, and Renault isn't involved in any skulduggery.

Which raises the obvious question; was this a simple error, or part of a plot to discredit Renault and thereby destabilise the GPMA?
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Rossi is not a distraction, says Brawn

Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn has dismissed suggestions that testing MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi is taking up valuable time from the Italian team's preparations ahead of the 2006 Formula One season.

Rossi has joined Ferrari for testing at the Spanish Valencia circuit earlier this month, and world champion Fernando Alonso chided the Maranello-based squad for wasting their time on the motorcycle rider rather than concentrating all their efforts on the upcoming season.

"I'm glad that Rossi has tested with Ferrari because that means they have lost valuable time preparing the cars for the show they put on," the Renault driver said on Thursday.

But Ferrari's Brawn made clear that Rossi's testing did not come at the expense of their pre-season development work and emphasized the value of the testing for the team's morale.

"Valentino's programme has been totally independent," the Briton said at Bahrain. "We put a small group of people together, using mechanics and engineers who were involved in other projects. So we've made sure that it doesn't affect our core Formula One programme.

"But he has been a great motivator for the guys - an Italian motorcycle champion in a Ferrari, it's been very exciting for everyone, and he's been doing a great job.

"After all, we want to enjoy ourselves. This is a very competitive and very intense business. But in the end of the day, you have got to enjoy yourself. If you don't, it's not worth doing."
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Fisichella targets Bahrain GP win

Giancarlo Fisichella has set his sights on winning the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix as he targets the drivers' title.

"Yes I hope so [to win in Bahrain], but the important thing is to win the rest of the season and score lots of points," Fisichella said. "Last year I had some problems, so I didn't have enough points to fight for the championship. This year, I want to win."

The Renault driver had a perfect start to his 2005 season, winning the Australian Grand Prix from pole position.

After that, however, Fisichella endured a poor streak of results and did not return to the podium until his home Grand Prix in Italy, the 15th round of the championship, where he finished in third place.

The Roman finished the championship in fifth place after not winning another race.

Fisichella's confidence for the 2006 season comes from the fact that he believes the new R26 car is better than last year's machine.

"It is good," he said. "I have got a good feeling with the R26. I am really comfortable in the car, and we have made a step forward compared to last year, especially with the rear end of the car. It is more stable under braking and in the middle of the corner, and the traction is a good improvement as well.

"Even though we have lost power with the change to the V8 engine, we have definitely made a step forward with the car.

"It feels very comfortable for me. Things are improving day by day, and I am getting a better feeling with the car. At the moment, I am concentrating on the job, and I am feeling confident for the season."
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Super Aguri gear up for first public test
The Super Aguri team are gearing up for their first public Formula One test this week at the Barcelona circuit in Spain.

The Japanese team already rolled out their car for the first time last week at the Kemble airfield, where Japanese driver Takuma Sato was at the wheel. Sato, who was left without a drive after leaving the BAR team last year, will race alongside Yuji Ide this year.

Sato will be in charge of testing duties tomorrow, when Super Aguri kick off their first proper test with the SA05 car. Ide, who came second in Japan's Formula Nippon series last year, will take over from Sato on Wednesday to make his Formula One debut.

Super Aguri will have only one car at the Barcelona circuit and both drivers are scheduled to share driving duties on the final day of the test.

The car is based on the 2003 Arrows A23 raced in 2002, updated to meet the new aerodynamics regulations and powered by Honda engines.

The Leafield-based squad plan to introduce their own car, the SA06, later in the season.

Renault, McLaren, Toyota, Williams, Honda, Red Bull and Midland are scheduled to test alongside Super Aguri this week at Barcelona.
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While I'm not expecting record shattering times I really hope they're at least reasonably competitive. I'd hate for them to get a slating given the amount they have to achieve in a very short timescale.
 
Michelin still ahead, says Fisichella

French tyre manufacturer Michelin is still holding the upper hand over rivals Bridgestone, according to Giancarlo Fisichella.

Michelin dominated the 2005 season, winning all but one of the races as Bridgestone seemed to struggle win the one-tyre rule which forced drivers to complete a race with the same set of tyres.

The rules have been changed for 2006, however, and tyre changes will be back, a situation which is believed will benefit the Japanese company.

But Fisichella, whose Renault team use Michelin tyres, believes the French firm is still ahead of its rivals.

"I think they [Michelin] are doing very well," said the Renault driver. "We have a good level of performance on the first lap, and the consistency is good too. There has been some graining sometimes, but it depends on the track temperatures.

"Overall, I think they are looking better than Bridgestone."

Michelin announced last year it will quit Formula One at the end of this season.
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rpstewart said:
While I'm not expecting record shattering times I really hope they're at least reasonably competitive. I'd hate for them to get a slating given the amount they have to achieve in a very short timescale.
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Personally expecting 5-6 seconds off the pace

I think they would have been better off with last years Honda V10 rather than a V8...

However - it's a 4 year old car, horrifically overweight and out of date.

Getting set up in 4 months though - thats one hell of an achievement..

Simon/~Flibster
 
Flibster said:
Personally expecting 5-6 seconds off the pace

I think they would have been better off with last years Honda V10 rather than a V8...

However - it's a 4 year old car, horrifically overweight and out of date.

Getting set up in 4 months though - thats one hell of an achievement..

Simon/~Flibster
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Ouch, 5-6 seconds is going to be very irritating for the front runners. We could see some big controversies due to traffic this year.

I'm glad they've managed to organise the team for this year though. The more the merrier. :)
 
Murf said:
Ouch, 5-6 seconds is going to be very irritating for the front runners. We could see some big controversies due to traffic this year.
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I get really annoyed when the current crop of drivers complain about getting held up by back markers. You never heard complaints from Fangio, Moss, Stewart, Prost et al in the days before blue flags. Negotiating back markers is part and parcel of racing and should not be subject to assistance by blue flags.

Now that I've started that rant I might as well finish - what is it with the timing of blue flag waving these days? Drivers face possible disqualification if they pass a set number (3 I think) of blue flags without letting the following car pass. If that is the case why are flags being waved in situations when the following car is not able to overtake? I've seen situations where a back marker has been blue flagged when maintaining a good gap in front of the leading car. Why should a midfielder by forced to compromise his race simply to allow another car to progress without effort?
 
rpstewart said:
I get really annoyed when the current crop of drivers complain about getting held up by back markers. You never heard complaints from Fangio, Moss, Stewart, Prost et al in the days before blue flags. Negotiating back markers is part and parcel of racing and should not be subject to assistance by blue flags.

Now that I've started that rant I might as well finish - what is it with the timing of blue flag waving these days? Drivers face possible disqualification if they pass a set number (3 I think) of blue flags without letting the following car pass. If that is the case why are flags being waved in situations when the following car is not able to overtake? I've seen situations where a back marker has been blue flagged when maintaining a good gap in front of the leading car. Why should a midfielder by forced to compromise his race simply to allow another car to progress without effort?
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Taken your tablets yet?? :D :D

I do agree with you. the drivers nowadays have it easy.

Senna always used to scare people out of the way! they used to nearly crash getting out of his way!!!! :D
 
ashtray_head said:
Taken your tablets yet?? :D :D

I do agree with you. the drivers nowadays have it easy.

Senna always used to scare people out of the way! they used to nearly crash getting out of his way!!!! :D
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Tablets? Aye, all taken, I thought I was being fairly calm.

The Senna tactic worked most of the time, except Monza 1988. He tried to bully Jean Louis Schlesser out of the way at the first chicane, JLS did the expected jump out of the way, got it horribly wrong and spun back into Senna's path thus preventing McLaren's clean sweep that year. Having said that it was quite useful in that it allowed Ferrari to record a 1-2 finish in the first Italian GP after the death of Enzo Ferrari,
 
Suzuki expects difficult start

Super Aguri boss Aguri Suzuki is under no illusions about the difficult task his Formula One team will face this year.

British-based Super Aguri will be Formula One's 11th team on the starting grid in 2006 after securing a last-minute entry. The team will use cars based on old Arrows chassis before they introduce their own car later in the season.

Super Aguri will only start testing their car this week, joining the majority of their rivals at the Barcelona circuit. The season kicks off in Bahrain in less than three weeks.

With that in mind, Suzuki is predicting a difficult start for the team.

"Since we launched the team in a short period, assorted problems are rising and there are many things that should be solved," Suzuki told reporters in a joint news conference with the Honda team.

"I'm afraid that we will be in a fairly tough position at the beginning. My objective this year is to make our team competitive as a Formula One team."

Super Aguri, who will be powered by Honda engines this year, will have Takuma Sato and Yuji Ide as their drivers.
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Why don't they just use one of the decent road courses in America, like Watkins Glen, Infineon (Sears Point) or Laguna Seca.....

Road courses dont' always work, there is little overtaking in there, and putting one in Vegas is just for one reason only... $$$$$$$

Thank god there is still some decent motorsport about.
 
Baz said:
Why don't they just use one of the decent road courses in America, like Watkins Glen, Infineon (Sears Point) or Laguna Seca.....

Road courses dont' always work, there is little overtaking in there, and putting one in Vegas is just for one reason only... $$$$$$$

Thank god there is still some decent motorsport about.
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1 word...

SPA....
 
Schumacher hits trouble at Bahrain

The Ferrari team on Monday continued with their testing programme at the Sakhir circuit in Bahrain, home of the first Grand Prix of the season.

Both Michael Schumacher and teammate Felipe Massa were again in charge of testing duties, the German driving the new 248 F1 and the Brazilian at the wheel of the F2004 fitted with a V10 engine.

Schumacher's programme focused on tyre testing and set-up work while Massa carried out tyre and electronics testing.

Ferrari continued to have problems with their new car, however, and Schumacher could only manage 49 laps with a best time of 1:31.390.

Massa had a fruitful day and completed 124 laps with a best time of 1:30.410.

Both men continue testing tomorrow.
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Now I'm not normally one to give hints to Ferrari but...

DROP THE V10'd F2004 CAR FROM TESTING!!! You surely can't learn that much more from it and it's wasting time.

On the plus side...car looks fragile and not that quick...

Honda is looking reliable and fast....Could be Honda's year...
Renault is looking reliable as well - not as fast though...
McLaren are slowly getting more reliable and much faster...
 
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