2005/2006 F1 News and Testing.

[Flibster]

The never-ending march of technology

The University of Manchester in the UK has launched a new $3.6m centre for research into new composite design and manufacture to find new low-cost ways to make aerospace parts. The technology created will be applicable in Formula 1. The Northwest Composites Centre, a joint venture between the Universities of Manchester, Liverpool, Lancaster and Bolton, will be one of only four establishments in the world using the new Australian-developed Quickstep technology, which creates composite parts using heated liquids rather than the conventional autoclave manufacturing processes. The laminate is compacted by the liquid and trapped air and gas is forced out using vibration. The idea has been developed by the Graham family in Perth in the course of the last 10 years and means that mass production of composite materials is much easier and quicker than with traditional techniques. Work that previously took 24 hours can now be done in less than half an hour and moulds are cheaper. In addition the curing process can be stopped at any point and so new forms of joints and bonds can be created.

There are currently only four production facilities in the world: in Perth, at the Victorian Centre for Advanced Materials Manufacturing in Geelong near Melbourne, at Toyota Motor in Nagoya, Japan, and in Manchester. In order to expand production of the machinery Quickstep was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange last September and is now preparing to market the system around the world.

 

[Flibster]

Alonso to nab 'easy' title - Webber

Fernando Alonso should romp to an easy back to back championship in 2006, according to a rival.

Williams' Mark Webber has told the Sydney-based 'Australian' newspaper that the young Spaniard, and his Renault team, are ahead of everyone in winter tests.

''I always thought last year would be one of the easiest championships he would have,'' 29-year-old Webber said. ''But Looking at what I saw this past week (at Barcelona), he might have an even easier one.''

Australian-born Webber said the only doubt about an easy second crown for Alonso, 24, is his 2007 switch to McLaren, and the possible damage it could have done to his relationship with Renault.

But he reckons the blue and yellow team will be 'dominant' and score 'a lot of one-twos' at least early in the season.

Mark Webber also predicted : ''I'm expecting Honda's Jenson Button to win races. McLaren might be good in the end but I don't think they will be in the first part.''

 

[Flibster]

Cooling fix working for Red Bull

Red Bull's new bodywork has cured the team's overheating problem. When the RB2 ran for the first time in December the team found it was prone to overheating and testing in January continued to suffer - the team even cut holes in the old bodywork to enable it to do at least some testing.

But the cooling fix is working well. "The new bodywork we introduced is doing what it is supposed to do and RB2 has obvious potential which we are now beginning to see," said sporting director Christian Horner.

"The engineers have a good understanding of how the car reacts to set-up changes and the drivers are growing in confidence in its abilities," he added. "Everyone in the team is working flat out to be as well prepared as possible for Bahrain and the final test in Valencia will give us more track time to smooth out a few rough edges in the overall package."

 

[Flibster]

Finn is fave, bookie says

Ignoring Europe's winter form, sports betting outfit has named Kimi Raikkonen as favourite to win the formula one crown in 2006.

At 3/1, McLaren's Finn is ahead of reigning champion Fernando Alonso (4/1) but also Michael Schumacher (3.5/1).

Honda's Jenson Button, however, is a wise bet at 13/1, as is Giancarlo Fisichella (21/1), Mark Webber (51/1) and Red Bull's David Coulthard, at 210/1.

At another betting agency, however - Schumacher is the season's favourite at 3/1, followed by Raikkonen (3.25/1) and Alonso (3.75/1).

Former Minardi owner Paul Stoddart agrees that the Ferrari number one would be worth a flutter. ''Ferrari is enormously advantaged by this year's tyre rule,'' he told The Australian newspaper, ''but there should be different winners through the year.''

49-year-old Stoddart, meanwhile - who said he was missing F1 'really badly' – is in no doubt about the team likely to take home the wooden spoon. He said : ''Jordan (MF1) will come last.''

 

[Flibster]

Senna to compete in Melbourne

One of the most famous names in motor racing history will resound around Albert Park when Bruno Senna competes in the Dodo Formula 3 races at the 2006 Australian Grand Prix.

Bruno, 21, is the nephew of Brazil's brilliant three-time Formula One World Champion Ayrton Senna, who won 41 races in a Grand Prix career stretching from 1984 to 1994 before his death in a racing accident at the San Marino Grand Prix on May 1, 1994.

At the Australian Grand Prix Bruno Senna will compete in both the Dodo F3 races and the BMW M3 Track Attack. He is scheduled to arrive in Melbourne on the Thursday morning of race weekend, March 30, and go straight into the on-track action with the Adelaide-based Bronte Rundle Motorsport F3 team.

At the end of 1993, when Ayrton Senna left the McLaren team with whom he had won his three world titles to join Williams, he told his McLaren engineers: "If you think I'm good, wait till my nephew arrives!"

Bruno's arrival – in fact his entire racing career – was put on hold when his uncle lost his life in Italy. But at the end of 2004 Bruno followed in his famous uncle's footsteps by making his way to the UK to go testing and to make his debut in the Formula BMW series in that country.

He had earlier competed against his uncle in karts on the family farm in Brazil – a link to the Gawler Farm Machinery-sponsored Dallara F304 he will drive at Albert Park - but when Ayrton died Bruno was only 10 years old. It put paid to his own racing plans, but only temporarily. "They thought I had dropped it because I did not say anything," explained Bruno.

But with the help of Ayrton's former McLaren F1 team-mate and great friend Gerhard Berger, Bruno – by then in his late teens - had a test drive in a Formula Renault single-seater in Brazil, did well enough to persuade his family to back him and tested both a Formula Renault and a Formula BMW in the UK before making his race debut in the latter in the last few races of 2004.

While sixth place at Donington Park was his best result, two front-row starts were a sharp reminder that Bruno seemed to have inherited the one-lap speed for which his uncle was world-famous. Ayrton Senna still holds the F1 record of 65 pole positions, which Michael Schumacher may overtake this year.

For 2005 Bruno Senna planned to join Carlin Motorsport in the British F3 series – the category in which Ayrton Senna fought a brilliant campaign against Britain's Martin Brundle before taking the 1983 title. But that plan fell through when Trevor Carlin himself made the move into F1 with the new Midland team.

Senna has driven instead for the Double-R team in which current McLaren F1 star Kimi Raikkonen is one of the partners. Bruno's first race outing with the team was at Donington Park, the Midlands circuit where Ayrton Senna first tested a Grand Prix car back in 1983.

While Bruno has yet to win a race, he is decidedly quick in qualifying and keenly aware that he needs to hone his race craft.

"It is late," he says candidly. "I don't have any racing experience but maybe I have the speed to be there. Racing is only learning and every race that I do I learn a lot."

Hence the Australian trip, which began to take shape at last year's F3 meeting at the famous Macau street circuit. "Double-R approached me there and said they were keen to further Bruno's experience on street circuits," explained Bronte Rundle, himself a former stalwart of the Australian single-seater scene.

"I said I'd do it if they thought he had it in him," joked Rundle, who spent 30 years as a race driver and set up Team BRM in the late Nineties. The team has already provided Australian F3 champions in James Manderson (2002) and Karl Reindler (2004), while Barton Mawer was a race-winner in the F3 support races at Albert Park last year in a Team BRM-entered car.

In an unusual variation on the sports management theme, it is Bruno's sister Bianca who currently oversees his career progress and puts together the fledgling business deals on which he is hoping to build his own successful career. The pair moved together to London and now occupy a flat in the same inner-city precinct where F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has his offices.

"There are lots of people who want to help us," Bianca has said, "but people really have to care because of the Senna name."

The younger Senna is reputed to have paid US$80,000 for the UK test and Formula BMW races at the end of 2004, with the Senna family funding 90% of the estimated $750,000 2005 campaign, such is their belief in Bruno's ability. "I have the burning desire," Bruno adds. "You cannot imagine how much I push myself to do it."

Coincidentally, as Bruno prepares for his Australian debut, it was in Australia in November 1993 that Ayrton Senna, still driving for McLaren, claimed what would be the 41st and last Grand Prix win of his brilliant career.

 

[Flibster]

Todt to pen new Ferrari deal?

Jean Todt, who turned 60 at the weekend, will reportedly pen a new two-year extension to his expiring Ferrari contract.

The German broadsheet 'Die Express' said the Frenchman, whose current agreement will run out later this year, would sign for 2007 and 2008, although the report did not give a source for the information.

'Die Express' claimed that Ross Brawn and engine chief Paolo Martinelli would also renew.

 

[Flibster]

F1 could be banned, Mosley warns

Formula One could be banned if an oil crisis grips the world, according to Max Mosley.

In an astonishing warning, the FIA president defended his moves to make the sport more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly.

Mosley told the 'Sunday Mirror' in Britain that opportunistic politicians would aim fire at grand prix racing in a fuel crisis.

'(They) will say, 'We must show the public we are serious about fuel economy and we must stop Formula One'.'

Max said F1 must move to the 'cutting edge' of fuel technology, in order to argue that the sport should not be banned.

Mosley continued: 'If you went on television and said, 'We must ban Formula One', you immediately get coverage. That would be very tempting for politicians.

'It's a real danger.'

What a tool

 

[Flibster]

Incredible but true: GP2 faster than F1?

The first 2006 testing session for the GP2 series that took place at the Circuit HTTT Paul Ricard last week has pointed out a very interesting fact to us, they are catching Formula One drivers at an alarming rate!

When viewing the laptimes recorded by the 26 drivers that will take part in this years champion as they put in a culminated mileage on the French tarmac of 10,622 kilometres, we noticed the best time recorded by ART Grand Prix’s Lewis Hamilton, 1:12.838, was almost three seconds faster than the fastest time recorded by nelson Piquet junior in October last year! (1:15.565)

There is a very simple explanation to this amazing progression, even though it is a monotype formula that has only had a very small evolution, technically speaking, since last season, so that leaves just one thing that has caused this leap in speed, slick tyres!

Bridgestone is providing slick tyres, not grooved, to the 13 GP2 teams in 2006 so that they can stay as close to the technical regulations in formula one as possible, the pinnacle of Motorsports set to make its return to slick tyres in the near future. The Japanese rubber is therefore helping the teams to gain 3 seconds a lap this year.

However, that said, in theory Formula One contenders are supposed to lose 3 seconds a lap this season, due to the reduction in power from a V10 engine to a v8 (the loss of approximately 150cv). In 2005 the difference in performance between F1 and GP2 was roughly 12 seconds maximum in qualifying with Nico Rosberg securing pole in GP2 with a best time of 1:38.416, while Kimi Raikkonen was the pole man at the same track in f1 with a time of 1:26.79, and in Hungary, Rosberg was 1:31.459 and Schumacher 1:19.882.

In Monaco, GP2 was a lot closer and lost just 8 seconds (Kovalainen 1:24.665, Raikkonen 1:16.679). By biting 6 seconds into F1 in 2006 (3 they have gained and three F1 has lost), theGP2 cars can, in theory, be between 2and 6 seconds behind F1 with one major consequence: the small F1 teams could end up being slower than the best GP2 team on the same circuit and under the same conditions!

If the top guns of GP2 lose just 2 to 3 seconds to the F1 boys on certain circuits, small F1 teams such as the former Jordan and Minardi teams, (today MidlandF1, Toro Rosso) who were regularly approximately 4 to 5 seconds behind the likes of Renault and McLaren in 2005, could see themselves outclassed by the lesser Formula with the GP2 poleman ending up than the back row of the F1 grid and the situation is heightened even further by the arrival of Super Aguri.

With Yuji Ide at the wheel (who was 3 seconds behind teammate Takuma Sato in Barcelona), Super Aguri F1 is definitely in ART GP’s sights! However, times recorded in Barcelona last week showed that thanks to softer tyres in Formula One this year (due to the return of the tyre stops), Formula One may not lose 3 seconds after all, instead it could just be the one.

So, the GP2 series could still be well behind F1 at the start of 2006, even the slowest representatives, but for how long, especially as it is the will of Max Mosley and the FIA is to reduce the performance of F1 cars even further - through standard parts. This is good news for GP2 drivers as they will no longer have to envy the F1 stars in terms of performance and will therefore either be able to integrate into f1 with a lot more ease or into an American series, IRL or ChampCar, who are now considering a merger of the two championships. It is also good news for the relegation/promotion system that Max Mosley would like to put in place…

 

[Flibster]

Anyone got solid info on the Silverstone test originally scheduled for this monday/tuesday?

Who will test this week?

This week is the last week of testing before the opening Grand Prix in Bahrain. All teams will test this week with the exception of the BMW Sauber F1 Team and Scuderia Toro Rosso, who conducted their last test at Imola last week.

Monday, 27 February:
Mugello: Ferrari
Valencia: McLaren, Renault, Williams
Silverstone: MF1 Racing

Tuesday, 28 February:
Mugello: Ferrari
Valencia: McLaren, Renault, Williams, Honda
Silverstone: MF1 Racing, Super Aguri

Wednesday, 1 March:
Mugello: Ferrari
Valencia: McLaren, Williams, Honda, Toyota, Red Bull

Thursday, 2 March:
Mugello: Ferrari
Valencia: Toyota, Red Bull, Honda

 

[clv101]

What a tool

Pardon? Mosley recognising the risk of and trying to protect F1 from a global oil crisis is one of the smartest things he's said in years! If only more people in powerful positions would open their eyes as Mosley obviously has.

 

[Flibster]

Pardon? Mosley recognising the risk of and trying to protect F1 from a global oil crisis is one of the smartest things he's said in years! If only more people in powerful positions would open their eyes as Mosley obviously has.

What about GP2, Rallying, WTCC, GT, GT3 and all the others that are shown here...

http://www.fia.com/sport/Championships/2006.html

Oh they're not important - it's just F1 that will need to be banned??

GT cars use a hell of a lot more fuel than F1 cars - 6litre V8's running at 14k rpm...over 12 and 24 hour races...

But no - it's F1 thats the problem..

Simon/~Flibster

 

[Dutch Guy]

Pardon? Mosley recognising the risk of and trying to protect F1 from a global oil crisis is one of the smartest things he's said in years! If only more people in powerful positions would open their eyes as Mosley obviously has.

The fuel usage of F1 is insignificant in comparison to the world usage, why ban F1 when America can keep on making cars that run at silly high mpg

 

[clv101]

What about GP2...

That isn't the issue at all! The point is that he recognises the risk of a global oil crisis. From a PR point of view I think he's probably right to concentrate on F1 initially due to its higher profile than others. Where’s the problem with that?

 

[clv101]

The fuel usage of F1 is insignificant in comparison to the world usage, why ban F1 when America can keep on making cars that run at silly high mpg

The volume of fuel used is irrelevant - it's a PR thing. I think Mosley is right to fear F1 being threatened during a global oil crisis.

 

[Dutch Guy]

The volume of fuel used is irrelevant - it's a PR thing. I think Mosley is right to fear F1 being threatened during a global oil crisis.

Maybe they should focus development on using methanol, cooking oil, natural gas etc.... and make it mandatory to have an engine that uses fuel X in 2008

He should say that in 2008 all F1 cars must run on (used) chip oil

 

[Flibster]

More about new qualifying format

In 13 days it's finally D-Day for all F1 fans: the first Grand Prix of the 2006 Formula One season. The FIA has made a lot of changes in regulations for this season! One of the biggest change is of course the V8 engine and, not to forget: the new qualifying format.

Saturday's one-hour qualifying session is split in three parts, each with multiple drivers on track and each with the drivers running as many laps as they want.

Part One: All 22 cars may run laps at any time during the first 15 minutes of the hour. At the end of the first 15 minutes, the six slowest cars drop out and fill the final six grid places.

Part Two: After a five-minute break, the times will be reset and the 16 remaining cars then will then run in a second 15-minute session - again they may complete as many laps as they want at any time during that period. At the end of the 15 minutes, the six slowest cars drop out and fill places 11 to 16 on the grid.

Part Three: After another five-minute break, the times are reset and the final 20-minute session will feature a shootout between the remaining 10 cars to decide pole position and the starting order for the top 10 grid places. Again, these cars may run as many laps as they wish.

What about re-fuelling?
In the first two 15-minute sessions, cars may run any fuel load and drivers knocked out after those sessions may refuel ahead of the race. However, the top-ten drivers must begin the final 20-minute session with the fuel load on which they plan to start the race. They will be weighed before they leave the pits, and whatever fuel they use in the 20 minutes may be replaced at the end of the session.

If a driver is deemed to have stopped unnecessarily on the circuit or impeded another driver during the qualifying session, then his times will be cancelled.

Riiigggghhhttt...everyone got that?

 

[Flibster]

French GP banks on pop idol

The 2006 French Grand Prix was launched today in Paris with news that the event, which will mark the 100th anniversary of Grand Prix racing - will feature a unique musical event with Roger Waters, the creative talent behind Pink Floyd, peforming The Dark Side of the Moon. Recorded in 1972, Dark Side of the Moon was one of the most innovative records of the 1970s featuring the latest audio technology available at the time. The album spent 491 weeks in the US charts and is the longest-running chart LP of all time. Waters, who will be joined for the concert by fellow Pink Floyd member Nick Mason, has not performed the entire album on stage since 1974. The concert will also feature songs from other Pink Floyd albums and from his own solo career.

The concert will take place on Friday July 14 - the annual French Bastille Day national holiday. A completre range of tickets is available with a special combination race-concert ticket on sale for 100 Euros ($118). Ticket sales to this event will begin tomorrow.

The race meeting will feature F1, GP2, a Porsche Super Cup race, a BMW Mini Challenge event plus a race of F1 cars from the 1960s and 1970s. In addition there will be a special centennial parade of historic Grand Prix cars, the chance for a spectator to ride around the circuit with Michael Schumacher, air displays and static exhibitions.

"By a fortunate twist of fate the French GP this year coincides with the French national holiday and will feature an exceptional concert," says Jacques Regis, the head of the Federation Francaise du Sport Automobile . "The Nevers-Magny Cours circuit promises to be the location for a great festival of automobile racing eagerly awaited by fans in France and the whole of Europe."

The FFSA also reported its results from the 2005 with 180,000 spectators over the three days, an increase in 14% over 2004. Only 11% of the fans were from outside France and the FFSA is making a big effort this year to draw in more foreign fans, particularly as the Belgian Grand Prix has been axed. The FFSA is increasing its foreign promotion with shows and exhibitions in Britain, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany and hope that the July 14 weekend will attract more visitors to Magny-Cours as people travel south for the annual summer holiday period.

 

[J1nxy]

From what I've been told Toro Rosso will be testing this week as last weeks testing was washed out.

 

[Dutch Guy]

Riiigggghhhttt...everyone got that?

Not really, I want the one hour qualifying back

 

[rpstewart]

Riiigggghhhttt...everyone got that?

I think I've got a handle on it but what is the obsession with qualifying on race fuel all about??? If the slowest 12 get to pick their strategy based on their qualifying result why are the top ten not allowed this advantage?

There's also a real risk if you're going for pole - you need to put in two quick laps just to get into the final session. From what I can tell if you put in a blinder in session 1 all that gives you is a spot in session 2, if you screw up session 3 then tough. Conversely if you get 11th in session 2 and everyone screws up session 3 then you can end up with a faster lap time than the pole sitter! How the heck does that make sense?

Solution: 1 hour, 12 laps, fastest guy gets pole. The fans understand it.