2005 Belgian Grand Prix

[Flibster]

"SATO needs "therapy" says Schumi"

Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher told BAR driver Takuma Sato he needed "therapy" after the pair clashed at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Sato, who was demoted 10 places on the grid for the Brazil Grand Prix after a post-race investigation, clipped the German's car, forcing both off track.

"I don't know what sort of therapy might help him," said Schumacher.

"I'm not very happy. It's not the first time he's been involved in an incident like this, so it's not good."

Sato said Schumacher's early use of the brakes approaching a corner was at least partly to blame.

"It was very fast into turn one. Michael and I were overtaking a Jordan on the right and because of that we were very close to the pit wall and I was getting boxed in," he said.

"Into turn one Michael braked very early. Unfortunately I locked up the brakes and hit him."

BAR chief Nick Fry was also quick to jump to the defence of the Japanese driver, who was dressed down by Schumacher after the incident.

"Clearly Takuma made a mistake but these things do happen, you saw today many of the top drivers making mistakes and Michael has made his fair share so I don't think it's very fair to say that kind of thing about Taku," he said.

"Taku couldn't hear what Michael was shouting at him which is probably a good thing."

 

[Flibster]

Trulli Furious After Clash with Monteiro

Jarno Trulli crashed out of the Belgian GP after Tiago Monteiro slowed suddenly in front of him, although the incident was completely missed by the TV cameras.

Trulli hit the back of the Jordan before spearing into the tire wall. He was furious with the Portuguese driver, especially when he continued to lap without further problems. It’s the third time this year that Monteiro has been involved win an incident with a high-profile driver, and yet still finished the race. He went on to finish eighth.

“I don’t know what happened,” he said.”‘But he told me by mistake he hit his pit limiter button, so he slowed his car to 80kph in the middle of the corner and I hit him straight in the back. I couldn’t do anything.”

Curiously when the Jordan team presented its data to the stewards the story had become one of a misfire rather than finger trouble by the driver. It was accepted that he was not at fault, and no penalty was applied.

Trulli’s race had already been ruined by a tire decision under the safety car. While nearly everyone else who made the mistake of going to dries immediately switched back, he stayed out for one more lap, which cost a lot of track time.

“Basically I have asked several times to keep intermediate tires. After Fisichella’s shunt the team decided to go on slicks. It was wrong. I kept saying I couldn’t follow the safety car. They made me two laps behind the safety car, and then I came in, because it wasn’t possible. I was 50 seconds off from the last car. I climbed up to eighth or ninth, and then I had this accident. It’s very bad luck, that’s all I can say.”

 

[Flibster]

And the official results...

Race Results.

[b]Pos	No	Driver			Team			Laps	Time		Grid	Points[/b]
1	9	Kimi Räikkönen		McLaren-Mercedes	44	1:30:01.295	2	10 
2	5	Fernando Alonso		Renault			44	+28.3 secs	4	8 
3	3	Jenson Button		BAR-Honda		44	+32.0 secs	8	6 
4	7	Mark Webber		Williams-BMW		44	+69.1 secs	9	5 
5	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari			44	+78.1 secs	12	4 
6	11	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber-Petronas		44	+87.4 secs	14	3 
7	17	Ralf Schumacher		Toyota			44	+87.5 secs	5	2 
8	18	Tiago Monteiro		Jordan-Toyota		43	+1 Lap		19	1 
9	15	Christian Klien		Red Bull Racing		43	+1 Lap		16	 
10	12	Felipe Massa		Sauber-Petronas		43	+1 Lap		7	 
11	19	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan-Toyota		20	+1 Lap		43	 
12	21	Christijan Albers	Minardi-Cosworth	42	+2 Laps		18	 
13	20	Robert Doornbos		Minardi-Cosworth	41	+3 Laps		17	 
14	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren-Mercedes	40	+4 Laps		1	 
15	8	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams-BMW		39	+5 Laps		15	 
Ret	16	Jarno Trulli		Toyota			34	Accident	3	 
Ret	14	David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing		18	Engine		11	 
Ret	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari			13	Accident	6	 
Ret	4	Takuma Sato		BAR-Honda		13	Accident	10	 
Ret	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault			10	Accident	13

Fastest Laps.

[b]Pos	No	Driver			Team			Lap	Time		Speed		Laptime[/b]
1	17	Ralf Schumacher		Toyota			43	15:33:37	225.329		1:51.453 
2	7	Mark Webber		Williams-BMW		44	15:35:10	223.655		1:52.287 
3	15	Christian Klien		Red Bull Racing		43	15:34:15	223.069		1:52.582 
4	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari			44	15:35:19	223.053		1:52.590 
5	3	Jenson Button		BAR-Honda		44	15:34:33	221.610		1:53.323 
6	9	Kimi Räikkönen		McLaren-Mercedes	34	15:13:57	220.662		1:53.810 
7	11	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber-Petronas		44	15:35:29	219.810		1:54.251 
8	19	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan-Toyota		43	15:34:54	216.711		1:55.885 
9	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren-Mercedes	14	14:34:48	216.518		1:55.988 
10	5	Fernando Alonso		Renault			31	15:08:23	216.252		1:56.131 
11	16	Jarno Trulli		Toyota			3	14:09:59	214.732		1:56.953 
12	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	Renault			9	14:22:02	214.431		1:57.117 
13	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari			10	14:23:49	213.834		1:57.444 
14	4	Takuma Sato		BAR-Honda		10	14:23:56	213.670		1:57.534 
15	8	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams-BMW		32	15:11:23	213.658		1:57.541 
16	12	Felipe Massa		Sauber-Petronas		28	15:02:55	213.282		1:57.748 
17	18	Tiago Monteiro		Jordan-Toyota		41	15:30:02	213.032		1:57.886 
18	14	David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing		8	14:20:08	212.016		1:58.451 
19	20	Robert Doornbos		Minardi-Cosworth	38	15:28:18	207.296		2:01.148 
20	21	Christijan Albers	Minardi-Cosworth	6	14:17:31	206.480		2:01.627

Pit Stops

[b]Stop	No	Driver			Time			Lap	Time of day	Time	Total time[/b]
1	21	Christijan Albers	Minardi-Cosworth	4	14:12:50	40.482	40.482 
1	20	Robert Doornbos		Minardi-Cosworth	7	14:19:09	39.831	39.831 
1	17	Ralf Schumacher		Toyota			10	14:23:54	32.808	32.808 
1	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren-Mercedes	11	14:25:32	36.695	36.695 
1	9	Kimi Räikkönen		McLaren-Mercedes	11	14:25:55	38.154	38.154 
1	16	Jarno Trulli		Toyota			11	14:25:56	39.686	39.686 
1	5	Fernando Alonso		Renault			11	14:25:57	37.235	37.235 
1	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari			11	14:25:59	38.994	38.994 
1	4	Takuma Sato		BAR-Honda		11	14:26:00	40.853	40.853 
1	3	Jenson Button		BAR-Honda		11	14:26:04	52.506	52.506 
1	12	Felipe Massa		Sauber-Petronas		11	14:26:05	46.995	46.995 
1	14	David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing		11	14:26:06	47.956	47.956 
1	7	Mark Webber		Williams-BMW		11	14:26:06	49.904	49.904 
1	15	Christian Klien		Red Bull Racing		11	14:26:11	56.910	56.910 
1	8	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams-BMW		11	14:26:11	55.395	55.395 
1	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari			11	14:26:15	42.653	42.653 
1	18	Tiago Monteiro		Jordan-Toyota		11	14:26:26	39.730	39.730 
1	19	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan-Toyota		11	14:26:31	49.941	49.941 
2	1	Michael Schumacher	Ferrari			12	14:29:38	32.798	1:11.792 
2	4	Takuma Sato		BAR-Honda		12	14:29:39	34.727	1:15.580 
2	14	David Coulthard		Red Bull Racing		12	14:29:41	49.169	1:37.125 
2	7	Mark Webber		Williams-BMW		12	14:29:41	35.675	1:25.579 
2	3	Jenson Button		BAR-Honda		12	14:29:44	40.149	1:32.655 
2	8	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams-BMW		12	14:29:47	55.694	1:51.089 
2	16	Jarno Trulli		Toyota			13	14:33:03	34.773	1:14.459 
2	15	Christian Klien		Red Bull Racing		13	14:33:08	35.015	1:31.925 
1	11	Jacques Villeneuve	Sauber-Petronas		20	14:46:42	38.267	38.267 
2	21	Christijan Albers	Minardi-Cosworth	21	14:51:19	37.470	1:17.952 
2	17	Ralf Schumacher		Toyota			24	14:54:25	36.486	1:09.294 
2	20	Robert Doornbos		Minardi-Cosworth	23	14:55:30	35.894	1:15.725 
3	17	Ralf Schumacher		Toyota			25	14:57:21	31.085	1:40.379 
3	20	Robert Doornbos		Minardi-Cosworth	24	14:58:42	36.564	1:52.289 
2	12	Felipe Massa		Sauber-Petronas		29	15:04:50	34.444	1:21.439 
2	18	Tiago Monteiro		Jordan-Toyota		30	15:07:23	34.244	1:13.974 
2	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari			31	15:08:47	32.142	1:14.795 
3	15	Christian Klien		Red Bull Racing		31	15:09:40	33.700	2:05.625 
2	5	Fernando Alonso		Renault			32	15:10:16	32.578	1:09.813 
3	7	Mark Webber		Williams-BMW		32	15:10:46	33.048	1:58.627 
2	19	Narain Karthikeyan	Jordan-Toyota		32	15:11:33	39.796	1:29.737 
3	16	Jarno Trulli		Toyota			32	15:11:34	35.298	1:49.757 
2	10	Juan Pablo Montoya	McLaren-Mercedes	33	15:11:59	32.999	1:09.694 
3	12	Felipe Massa		Sauber-Petronas		32	15:12:13	32.610	1:54.049 
3	3	Jenson Button		BAR-Honda		33	15:12:53	32.558	2:05.213 
3	8	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams-BMW		33	15:13:16	33.876	2:24.965 
2	9	Kimi Räikkönen		McLaren-Mercedes	35	15:15:50	31.518	1:09.672 
4	7	Mark Webber		Williams-BMW		38	15:23:20	31.890	2:30.517 
4	8	Antonio Pizzonia	Williams-BMW		39	15:25:57	32.409	2:57.374 
3	2	Rubens Barrichello	Ferrari			40	15:27:05	31.851	1:46.646 
4	17	Ralf Schumacher		Toyota			40	15:27:28	30.360	2:10.739

 

[Flibster]

Heidfeld out for another one huh? Jenson's reportedly "satisfied" with the progress of negotiations with Williams, Bernie backing Nico....

At this stage I really wouldn't be surprised if Nick's sat in the Williams for the last time. Nico only has one GP2 race left this year and that's mid-week after the Brazillian GP. Time will tell but I think we'll see Pizzonia in for Brazil then Nico in Japan and China with a view to running him full time alongside Webber in 2006.

Certainly a possibility - however Williams still do have a valid contract for 2006 with Button...

They're going to make some money from it if the above happens. They can legally stop him from driving for anyone else for the duration of the deal *allegedly 2 years + option...*

And as for the Zanardi winning the ITCC - how fantastic. Serious role model for anyone into morotsport or with a disability.

I have no end of respect for Zanardi. Wasn't a fan of his in F1 - but was a nice guy and when he had his accident I hoped he would survive.

I didn't expect him to be racing again.

All credit to the dude.

Simon/~Flibster

 

[Flibster]

Oh... you don't realise how many elevation changes there are at Spa until you have to walk around the bloody track!

Walk?? Walk?!!?!?

Drive the thing and listen to your engine stuggle massively in places..

Well..your engine would struggle more than most.

Simon/~Flibster

 

[Flibster]

More from Toad...errr....Todt..

TODT: GOOD RIDDANCE TO STODDART

Ferrari boss Jean Todt has said he will not shed any crocodile tears if and when his Minardi counterpart Paul Stoddart leaves Formula 1 at the end of this season.

Stoddart is expected to bow out of the sport – at least temporarily – following the sale of his Minardi team to Red Bull Racing, which will take over the reins of the Faenza-based squad in November.

Many paddock figures have expressed their regret at the prospect of losing one of F1’s most outspoken and down-to-earth characters.

But Todt made it clear that he, for one, will not mourn the Australian’s departure.

Asked whether he will miss Stoddart, Todt replied: “No. I don’t think he’s given anything to Formula 1.

“I had a few opportunities to meet him at the beginning when he took over Minardi [in 2001], then he came a few times with the two-seater and allowed Michael to [drive].

“I would say my feelings changed over the last period, so I will not miss him.”

Stoddart has been a resolute sparring partner of both Todt and FIA president Max Mosley, with whom Ferrari is now closely aligned.

The Red Bull takeover of Minardi will have important political ramifications because RBR has allied itself with Ferrari and the FIA in the ongoing debate over Formula 1’s future.

Todt hailed the change of ownership as good news for the sport and contrasted his feelings towards Stoddart with his high estimation of Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz.

“His bravery is admirable,” said Todt. “It’s already brave to take over one team, but to take two is impressive.

“So what I feel is good for the team…is that a strong investor is taking over and I’m sure he’s going to give that good continuity.

“So it’s good for Formula 1.”

Stoddart has admitted that it will be hard to leave Formula 1 because of his passion for the sport and the competitive environment, and says he can’t imagine taking more than a temporary sabbatical.

“This has been a very emotional weekend and I really haven’t thought much about what happens next,” he said. “I still love Formula 1 and that is really what is important.”

 

[Flibster]

'Jordan test is Ant's big chance'

Anthony Davidson has his "big chance" to claim a race drive in Formula One when he tests for Jordan on Tuesday, according to Johnny Herbert.
Davidson has been released from his BAR-Honda commitments to test at Silverstone for Jordan, who are looking for drivers for next season, when they will be renamed Midland.

Jordan's sporting relations manager Herbert has been impressed by Davidson's contribution at BAR during his five years of testing, as well as his record in junior formulae.

But Jordan get the chance to see his abilities at first hand tomorrow in a test session which Herbert concedes can give Davidson a headstart in the race for a full-time drive.

He said: "He has potentially got the experience and with the speed he has shown at BAR from that point of view he's a good option for us."

"It's a good opportunity for him. If he goes to Silverstone and does very well then it's going to be a big plus."

"I think he's got the support in the team because obviously everyone has seen what he has achieved in the BAR. But it's still down to how we slot in the pieces of the puzzle to make it possibly work."

"He has got a chance on Tuesday and it is another time for him to say 'right, this is what I can do'. It's a big chance."

"We know what he can do but this is in a car that is not at the end of the grid he has been at and it will be interesting to see what happens."

Davidson may have to wait for his graduation to the grand prix grid to be confirmed though.

Jordan are in the midst of major restructuring as they prepare for Midland's Formula One debut and Herbert, recruited in a bid to improve their battered reputation, does not expect a decision on drivers to come soon.

Midland are expected to ditch their current policy of recruiting only pay drivers, giving Davidson his chance, but confirmation of that is likely to take time.

Herbert said: "It's all down to how the restructuring works out and how things pan out for next year."

"As far as our position is at the moment, until we get all the structure correct in the first place with Midland, it's only then you can look at the row of drives you've got available for selection and try to work out who are going to be the right two."

"It's always very hard to put a date to it but I think it's going to be later rather than sooner. The sooner we can do it the better it is for everyone but I know it's very rarely that simple."

Davidson's rise to prominence has come on the back of his testing duties at BAR, even though the man himself believes his forte is in wheel-to-wheel combat.

The Hemel Hempstead-born driver's success in junior series, including a European Formula Three title, is often overlooked, but not by Herbert.

"He did catch my eye because he was one of them who stood out from the rest," he said.

"When he got the BAR deal his career resurrected itself, especially last year when he did so well in the Friday practices."

"That was positive, it was good they kept him on and it is a shame that so far he has not had that final break to get him into racing."

I'm wondering if he'd be better off testing at BAR and going for a good drive rather than Jordan/Midland...

I'm not at all hopeful about their car next year.

It wouldn't surprise me of the Red Bull B Team overtakes them fairly rapidly or even is ahead of them to start with...

 

[Flibster]

DC BACK ON OFFENSIVE OVER RULES

David Coulthard has reprised his criticism of Formula 1’s technical regulations following a rain-affected Belgian Grand Prix, claiming they are adding an unnecessary element of danger to races held in changeable weather conditions.

The Scot believes the (dry-weather) requirement for a single set of tyres to be used for qualifying and the full race distance has indirectly led to a situation where teams have no suitable tyres to call upon in damp conditions once their intermediates start overheating.

“As we must now use one slick tyre for the race, it has to be a hard compound to last the distance,” he said.

“That makes it more difficult to get it into its operating window in terms of temperature; so putting a slick tyre on a damp track doesn’t work.

“On the other hand, intermediate tyres on a dry track will overheat, so you end up with this no-man’s-land area where no tyres fit.

“It’s very entertaining for the crowds, but it’s dangerous for us because while the wet tyres are burning up, the slick tyres, as we saw, don’t work in these conditions.”

Coulthard was one of a number of drivers to switch to ‘slicks’ only to have to change back to intermediates on the very next lap because the car proved undriveable without the aid of substantial grooves to displace surface water.

He later retired from the race on lap 19 after the first Cosworth engine failure in competition this season.

He's never been a fan has he...

Sad to say - I think he's right though.

 

[Flibster]

BAR prepared to wait for Button

BAR-Honda will wait until the winter for Jenson Button to escape his Williams contract, by which time chief executive Nick Fry hopes the Englishman will have a grand prix win to his name.

Button claimed a podium finish for just the second time this season with third place in Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix, courtesy of an impressive fightback after a slow start.

His Spa-Francorchamps performance proved Button is not distracted by his ongoing contract spat with Williams, for whom he is contracted to drive next season.

The 25-year-old wants to escape that deal in order to stay at BAR, claiming the Brackley-based team are a better bet to power him to his first Formula One win.

Team boss Fry wants to prove Button right before the end of this season though, and has high hopes for an improved car in the final three races.

"Our target is ambitious, I know," he told PA Sport.

"But we said at the start of the season that we would try to win a race and I think Spa was a demonstration that we are prepared to take some risks to do it."

"The Honda engine is just getting better and better and there's more development for the last three races, we are just going to keep pushing."

"It's difficult to make a major leap forward in Formula One at this time of the season but our improvements will be worthwhile."

"Normally for the Suzuka race Honda does something a little bit special and this year will be no different, we will have more engine development."

Button's discussions with Williams have yet to reach an amicable conclusion and Fry is not holding his breath.

BAR have already signed Rubens Barrichello for next season and want Button to partner the Brazilian.

However, Fry is in no rush to complete his driver line-up and will bide his time in the hope of snaring Button.

He added: "There is lots of dialogue between Jenson and and his management and the Williams chaps. If there is dialogue there is hope but there is nothing concrete at the moment."

"The two sides are still talking and we are still hopeful. I'd clearly like to see it come to fruition, I think that's in everyone's interest."

"From our point of view we'll just sit and wait. Jenson is the one we'd like to have in the car and we've said we'll wait until the end of the season or beyond if necessary."

For Button, Sunday's performance, when he was beaten only by title rivals Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso, ended a three-race absence from the podium and gave him encouragement for the last three races, in Brazil, Japan and China.

Aerodynamic and engine improvements are scheduled for Interlagos in two weeks and Button hopes a difficult season can end on a high note.

"It's been a little while since I've been on the podium," he said. "I think the next three races will be better for us so I am really positive."

"We have a lot of aerodynamic work coming for the next two races and I think we hopefully will be challenging the Renaults. They will be taking it a bit easier, so that might earn us a few points which would be nice."

"I am happy that we can make a good improvement. We are very positive for the last few races because of the downforce level that you run at those circuits."

"We are looking forward to it and hopefully we can get a few more podiums, that would be a nice way to end the season."

I agree with most of the retired drivers on this one - He signed the damn contract - honour it...

Trying to wiggle out just makes him look a complete prat with no respect for anyone..same as last year tbh with the original Buttongate

 

[Flibster]

Looks like Stoddy may not be away for long.

'Stoddart will be needed at Red Bull'

It is not clear whether Paul Stoddart will be handed a job after Red Bull take over his Minardi team on November the 1st. Certainly, the $47m sale contract states that Australia's Stoddart, who bought the Faenza team from Gian Carlo Minardi in 2001, will walk away from the squad.

But new owner Dietrich Mateschitz's 'right hand man' Dany Bahar admitted at Spa that whether or not Paul is retained as a consultant is 'not defined.' He told Autosport: "I'm sure we'll need him in some way and he'll be very close to our team. Much more, I can't say."

51-year-old Stoddart agreed that he still loves the sport. "I am going to miss it so, so much," Paul lamented. "I don't think I'm finished in this Paddock," he insisted. Interestingly, Stoddart still owns much of Arrows' team assets from the 2002 collapse, and will retain his Ledbury (UK) factory despite the Minardi sale.

He says the 'saddest thing' about the Spa announcement is that the 20 year old Minardi name will probably disappear from the category next season.

Bahar, though, denied reports that Minardi is to be renamed 'Red Bull USA'. "We don't know what we will call it yet," he insisted. What is clear, is that guys like Tonio Liuzzi and American driver Scott Speed are in the pole position to race.

He still owns much of Arrows *well - until later this year at the next auction...* and will retain the factory at the European Aviation site iirc...

Considering that neither of those was owned by the Minardi team but by him personally - I'm not surprised he'll keep them..

But Stoddy is one of thos rare people in the pitlane now...someone who is passionate about the sport. He loves it.

He started running his own team in TGP and Boss Championships because he loved racing..

He then moved onto F3000 - getting the change to run Webber in his cars back in 2000

He got the chance to buy Minardi..and he took it. Good for him. He wanted to do something and he did it.

It's something I'd love to do..

 

[Flibster]

The sale of Jenson Button

There are reports that Williams has turned down a $21m offer from Jenson Button and BAR for the release of the British driver from his Williams contract in 2006 and 2007. This is interesting in that it confirms suggestions that Williams has decided that Button does have a price tag and that the task in hand is to discover what the Button camp and BAR is willing to pay for Jenson's liberty. This will be an interesting exercise given that Button has still to convince the F1 circus that he is an out-and-out winner, rather than merely a good journeyman. BAR seems to be convinced that Button is worth every penny of the rumoured $88m that it wants to pay him over the next five years. Given that Button's current predicament is self-induced one must presume that BAR will be acting as Button's banker in the negotiations but will want some of the money which will go to Williams to be repaid from Jenson's salary in the years ahead. This would still leave Jenson being paid a sizeable amount of money for a man who has yet to win a Grand Prix but he might have to live without expensive new toys for a year or so.

One should remember as well that in addition to money from BAR and Button, Williams will benefit from not having to pay Button's $10m salary in 2006 and 2007 and if the team hires a relatively cheap replacement - which will almost certainly be the case - it will be banking a very large sum of money which was otherwise committed to Button. This will pay not only for the Cosworth engine deal but also help to make up for any shortfall in sponsorship income in the years ahead. The team is fortunate in that it usually does long-term deals with its big sponsors but income may be reduced slightly if there are performance clauses. In the interim the team has time to improve performance and find new backers.

Button may end up being a better investment if he is sold than if he stays with Williams.

 

[Flibster]

Davidson may have to wait for Jordan decision

British American Racing’s third driver, Anthony Davidson is hoping to secure a full time race seat for the 2006 Formula One championship and even though he would rather be promoted within the Brackley based squad, if a drive comes from elsewhere and BAR can’t match it, then he will do what’s necessary.

Part of his plan to get into a race seat will come this week when he tests for the Toyota powered Jordan team at the Silverstone circuit. Due to get behind the wheel of the EJ15B later today, the British driver will be doing everything he can to impress those that count.

However, it could be a little while before Anthony knows if he has done all he can to make a 2006 seat with the team materialize with the team’s sporting director Johnny Herbert, admitting that they won’t be making any hasty decisions in regard to their 2006 line up.

"It's always very hard to put a date to it, but I think it's going to be later rather than sooner," Herbert told Autosport. "I suppose it's when it all comes together. I would hope the sooner we can do it the better it is for everyone, but I know it's very rarely that simple. You need to have the best feedback you can possibly have from a driver, but you also need the performance at the same time and you need the team to respond to the way the driver is as well. The relationship has to work both ways. It's a selective thing and you've got to try and get the most positive out of everybody."

That said however, Herbert admitted that the young driver has a lot of potential and this week’s test could prove very rewarding…

"He has potentially got the experience and, with the speed he has shown at BAR, he's a good option for us. It's all down to how the restructuring works out and how things pan out for next year. It's a good opportunity for him. If he goes to Silverstone and does very well then it's going to be a big plus. I think he's got the support in the team because obviously everyone has seen what he has achieved in the BAR. But it's still down to how we slot in the pieces of the puzzle to make it possibly work."

 

[Flibster]

Monteiro eyes 2006 seat

The race is hotting up for Midland's two 2006 race seats.

While BAR tester Anthony Davidson and Minardi's Christijan Albers appear at the front of the queue, existing Jordan driver Tiago Monteiro reckons he has also staked a claim to hang around.

The Portuguese rookie, pretty impressive in his run to eighth in the Belgian grand prix, revealed that he met with managing director Colin Kolles on the morning of the race.

'We talked about next year,' Monteiro, 28, told Autosport, 'and I think I have good chances to race for Midland.'

He added: 'Nothing is signed yet.'

Renault's Franck Montagny is also linked with a Silverstone based ride, but he would also be required to bring along a bag of sponsorship

 

[Flibster]

Albers set for Midland job

F1 rookie Christijan Albers will switch from Minardi to Midland-owned Jordan for 2006 and 2007, according to the Netherlands' Algemeen Dagblad newspaper.

It is speculated that the 26 year old Dutchman's management swooped on the deal after the Red Bull-Minardi buyout made it clear that staying at the Faenza based camp was no longer an option.

Albers, the former DTM driver, tested a yellow Jordan contender late last year. Anthony Davidson, Ricardo Zonta, Franck Montagny and Tiago Monteiro are also linked with an '06 seat.

Team boss Colin Kolles told F1Racing.net that a contract is not yet signed, but he admitted: 'It is no secret that I want (him) in our team.'

Jordan-Midland's sporting director Johnny Herbert, meanwhile, told Autosport that final driver decisions about season 2006 would be made 'later rather than sooner.'

Well...looks like Midland are busy...

 

[Flibster]

Here we go again...

2008 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

On Monday, the FIA received a response from a number of teams present at the meeting in Milan on August 31. Although constructive in tone, it contains nothing new. In particular it makes no proposal for reducing costs.

New teams intending to apply to enter the Championship in 2008 have all made it clear that they can do so only if costs are greatly reduced. Current teams which are already committed for 2008 fully agree. Accordingly the FIA is now reviewing the draft 2008 regulations with a view to eliminating unnecessary and excessive expenditure while continuing to allow technology which is road-relevant and interesting to the public.

The target is to reduce the budget of a top team from the current €300m+ ($360m+) to around €100m ($120m). A budget of €100m ($120m) for two cars for one season is still a vast amount of money when compared to any other form of motor racing.

The FIA Formula One World Championship has always relied on independent teams. Its rules must allow them to survive and prosper. If major manufacturers wish to participate (and at least three are expected in 2008), so much the better. However the duty of the FIA is clear: it must ensure that the Formula One World Championship continues with a mixture of independent teams and manufacturers, all competing on an equal footing in the traditional way.

If some of the manufacturers wish to run a private series with unlimited expenditure, the FIA will give them every assistance. It would be an interesting experiment, but too risky for the Formula One World Championship. Costs would almost certainly rise above even current Formula One levels and all teams would require full manufacturer support. Such support is unlikely to continue indefinitely.

The FIA is now confident that it will shortly be able to publish rules for the 2008 Formula One World Championship which give realistic (but still high) budgets, close racing (including much easier overtaking) and interesting but relevant technology. The result will be a 2008 Formula One World Championship with 12 teams, 24 cars and greater public interest than ever.

Superb - forcing through rules that the teams don't want to follow...

Wonderful...

Just like the Qualifying changes...
Single race engines...
Two race engines...
Grooved Tyres...
Single set of tyres for the weekend...
Reduced ground effect...

Hmmm...

Prats.

Simon/~Flibster

 

[Flibster]

Klien to contest last 3 races for Red Bull

Red Bull Racing has officially confirmed that Christian Klien will race for the team as second driver at the three remaining races of the 2005 F1 season. David Coulthard will drive car no. 14, while Tonio Liuzzi will continue as the team's third driver.

Sporting Director Christian Horner commented: "Following Red Bull GmbH's acquisition of Minardi last weekend, Christian and Tonio have assured futures in F1. As a result, Red Bull Racing has decided to continue with Christian as race driver for the final three races of the year. Having contested the races previously, Christian will be looking to secure Championship points for the team, while Tonio's role as third driver will allow him to familiarise himself with the circuits in Brazil, Japan and China ahead of 2006. No decision as to which driver will compete for the team alongside David Coulthard next year has yet been made; Red Bull Racing will announce its 2006 driver line-up after the end of the season."

Do they really need to annouce it....

It's pretty obvious who's the No2 and No3 drivers there...

However - they do have a lot of drivers under contract don't they..

Simon/~Flibster

 

[Flibster]

Who has more Red Bull or Flav?

ATM..I'd say Red Bull..

Flav is a close second though.

Anyway - now we can see why Williams is after so much money for Button..

Hewlett-Packard out of Williams

The Hewlett-Packard computer company will announce later today that this is withdrawing early from its sponsorship deal with Williams. The company had been expected to continue as the team's title sponsor until the end of next year but has been making major cutbacks in recent months and it seems that it has decided that it no longer needs Formula 1.

"We have met our objectives and it is a natural moment for HP to conclude our relationship," said Cathy Lyons, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for HP in a statement to the International Herald Tribune. "We wish them all the best as they go in a new direction next season."

It is presumed that a financial settlement was agreed to get out of the sponsorship early.

The sponsorship began in 2000 with Compaq and ever since the merger between Compaq and Hewlett-Packard there have been doubts about the long-term nature of the deal. Williams has been aware of this and has been quietly looking for title sponsors elsewhere. It might even be that the team has found a new deal and thus has been able to release Compaq from its commitments. If this is the case then we would expect to hear an announcement soon.

 

[Flibster]

More F1 news...

Klien impresses Coulthard

Christian Klien has staked a claim to keep his Red Bull seat next year, after the energy drink company's management said that Vitantonio Liuzzi is also a candidate.

Certainly, with the Red Bull buy-out of 'rookie' team Minardi, both youngsters' immediate futures in formula one are assured. 22-year-old Klien, though, said he should be the front runner for the role next to veteran David Coulthard.

"2006 will be my third season in formula one," he told Austria's 'APA' news agency, "so I do not really consider myself a 'rookie' any more."

He continued: "In this business, experience is everything."

Signed-and-sealed 2006 Red Bull driver David Coulthard agrees with Klien that he has now earned a place on the F1 grid.

"I've been pretty impressed with him," the Scot, 34, told Motorsport Aktuell. "In many races this year he has pushed me rather hard and he has also improved with time."

 

[Flibster]

FIA Writing new rules

The governing FIA says it is writing new rules that will allow lesser-funded teams to enter the 2008 world championship.

As talks between the Paris body and existing manufacturers appear to once again stall, Max Mosley drafted a statement earlier this week claiming that he will go it alone in finding ways to lower pitlane's huge budgets.

"New teams intending to apply to enter ... in 2008 have all made it clear that they can do so only if costs are greatly reduced," it read.

Mosley hinted that the already published 'draft' rules for 2008 will now be amended to further cut 'unnecessary and excessive expenditure.

"The target is to reduce the budget of a top team from the current $360m to around $120m."

"(This) is still a vast amount of money when compared to any other form of motor racing."

What they don't seem to realise - is you give them £240m extra in their budget - they'll spend it. Supercomputer fluid dymanics simulations, wind tunnels - you name it they will buy it.

 

[Flibster]

Why would Toyota switch?

Why on earth would an ambitious formula one team switch from pacesetter Michelin to struggling tyre rival Bridgestone?

Undoubtedly, that is a question on many observers' lips after Williams and Toyota - although the latter is not yet confirmed officially - intend to do just that at the end of the year.

Toyota's chief engineer, Dieter Gass, tried hard to explain. "Next year we go to V8 (engines)," he said, "so the slate is wiped clean a little bit."

This is not, however, the full story. Toyota - although with an F1 HQ in Germany - and Bridgestone are both Tokyo-based companies, and are already commercially linked in the road car market.

There is also the small matter of F1's governing FIA, and the teams, wanting to rid the sport of the current tyre war.
Michelin, it is clear, is not interested in sticking around to supply a 'control' tyre. "We understand that Michelin prefer competition," Gass continued, "but Bridgestone can see themselves as a sole supplier."

Switching early, then, would also have the added benefit of offering a head-start in adjusting to the control supplier's qualities and development.